Tizta Berhanu is an Ethiopian figurative painter whose work focuses on love and intimacy.
How has your lived experience shaped your practice?
All my artworks are derived directly or indirectly from my lived experience. For me it is impossible to do an imaginative work devoid of lived experience. For instance my works revolving around love involve my direct lived experience and belief; what goes through my head are intensified and impressed up on my works.
What are some of your biggest influences and motivations in your work? What issues are you passionate about working on?
Usually, or previously, people and expression on the faces of people use to capture all my interest. But now and recently due to a new understanding I have acquired which is Christianity all my present perspectives seems to shift to the essence of this understanding. And, my previous theme which was “love” is now encapsulated and molded through this understanding.
Can you tell us more about your focus on intimacy in your work?
I always maintained a belief that wholeness is made up of different parts. This is true for the concept of family, country, marriage, or any human relation of any kind. When I focus specially on the theme of love, solidarity, group affinity … it is with the purpose to envision that higher level of oneness in the form of the abstract.
Where are you based and what excites you about the creative community around you?
I am based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia where I have lived my entire life. The art community I exist is a multicultural vibrant community which makes the creating of art both enjoyable and difficult.
See more of Tizta’s work HERE
