Ermias Kifleyesus

As a versatile artist, Ermias Kifleyesus employs a variety of artistic techniques and mediums, ranging from large-scale paper collages and mixed-media canvas works to fresco-style murals, video installations, and intricate metal sculptures.

Biography of Ermias Kifleyesus

Ermias Kifleyesus was born in 1974 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. He studied at the Alle School of Fine Arts and Design at Addis Ababa University under the guidance of the influential painter Tadesse Mesfin.

In 2004, he completed studies at the City and Guild of London Art School in the UK. Later, in 2009, he obtained an MA from HISK in Ghent, Belgium.

Ermias Kifleyesus's notable solo exhibitions include "Grapes Darken by Looking at Each Other" at  Kusseneers in Brussels (2018), "Changing World You Are My Anchor" at 2m3 in Brussels (2017), "Europe Aging New Beginning" at Kusseneers in Brussels (2017), "About people" at Kusseneers in Brussels (2016), and "Humidity and the Mystery of Traces" at Kusseneers in Brussels (2014), among others. 

The artist has also participated in various group exhibitions, including "Eating Each Other" at Extra City in Antwerp (2018), the Biennial of Dakar in Senegal (2018), Art Brussels in Brussels, Belgium (2018), Kusseneers in Brussels, Belgium (2016), and many more. 

Currently, Ermias Kifleyesus lives and works in Brussels, Belgium.

Ermias Kifleyesus's Art Style

Ermias Kifleyesus creates and deconstructs images, inviting us to explore significant inquiries regarding the human condition and the broader complexities of the world that captivate his attention.

While the intricate processes involved in the crafting of his canvases are complex and labor-intensive, Kifleyesus encourages viewers to delve beyond the surface to uncover the true essence of his artistic practice—the socio-economic motives that shape the contours of our culture and society. 

Throughout his body of work, Kifleyesus provides commentary on contemporary society while simultaneously casting a fresh perspective on history. In pieces like "Cascade of Knowledge" and "Displacement 1 and 2," he references historical events or figures that have significantly influenced power dynamics between Africa and Europe. In doing so, he ensures that events and narratives are presented from an alternative viewpoint, preventing them from merely becoming faded pages in a history book.