Today’s guest is the renowned International Artist Leulseged Retta. He was born and raised in the capital Addis Ababa. He attended his education at Teferi Mokonen School. Then he went to Addis Ababa University and earned Diploma in Art. He was among the pioneering graduates that embraced socialism. He joined Hager Fikir Theatre as a stage designer. While working there, winning scholarship he went to the former USSR. He joined the then Academy of Art Repina in Leningrad, currently named St Petersburg. He earned his MFA (Master of Finer Arts with great distinction). Since then, he has become one of Ethiopia’s most creative painters.
After completing his education at USSR, he came home and joined Ethiopian Tourist Trade Enterprise (ETTE). From 1986 to 1996 he worked there as the head of the creative art center. Adept in production it did not take him long to be a senior artist and head of commercial department. In 1996, he left the enterprise. Since then, he has been coming up with different creative works of his own.
In addition, he has been holding different solo and group exhibitions. He hosted more than 25 private and 15 group exhibitions. He had exhibited his works here and many other African countries. He had also done the same in Europe, Asia and the United States. Los Angeles, Moscow, Leningrad, Osaka, Djibouti, Cairo, New York, and Geneva are among the towns he exhibited some of his works.
Leulseged has played quite an ambassadorial role in promoting Ethiopian Arts worldwide. He is the founder of annual Ethiopia Art Fair at Sheraton Addis, Addis Ababa. Besides promoting Ethiopian arts to the world, the program was aimed at bringing together senior artists with new born artists.
In his masterpieces, Leulseged captures the socio cultural beliefs of the Ethiopian society. Leulseged is grateful to those who helped and taught him to specialize in art. On grounds of his extra ordinary works, he has just won the Abyssinia Award. In addition, his paintings are published in different catalogues and brochures, posters, and flyer in America.
He is among the painters who wrote history on canvas via gold paints. The Ethiopian Herald has just a while with International Artist Luelsegad Retta.
The Ethiopian Herald: What inspired you to start painting?
Artist Luelsegad: When I was a child, I used to go to different Orthodox Churches with family members. Due to that, I got a chance to see a spectrum of mesmeric paintings on the walls and ceilings of the churches. They were showcases of home grown painting styles.
In addition, the posters on different movie houses and paintings by renowned Ethiopian Artists were motivating me to join the adventure land of painting. Especially, the Ethiopian famous painter Taddesse Mesfin had a great role in igniting the spark of painting in my heart.
While a kid, friends and I used to sell paintings of flowers and angels’ starting from Buhe to Ethiopian New Year. Once, while I was walking with Taddesse Mesfin, he showed me an old woman who sat by the gate of St. George Church sorrowfully. On the morrow he showed me her painting that exactly depicts the feelings of the woman and how she was sat. There and then, I decided to join Art school. Here I am.
Herald: What is the reflection of art in a given society?
Artist Leulseged: I grew up in the Orthodox Churches imbibing moral teachings of respecting parents and elders. Hence, reverence to senior citizens had sent roots in the heart of my hearts at formative years. Following the footprints of Maitre Loret Afewerk Tekle and Gebre Kristos Desta, my paintings reflect the reality of our society. They displayed a lot to the world about Ethiopia.
During those days, there were no ethnic-based conflicts but we know the culture of Amhara, Oromo, Gurage, and Tigrian. Currently, we have more than 80 identified ethnic groups in the country. So, the current generation has a lot to show to the world because we have different cultures and ways of living in every ethnic group.
Herald: How do you see the society’s perspective towards art during those days?
Artist Leulseged: Frankly speaking, the then generation had a great respect and love for art. Theatre was mostly loved by the people because it taught modernity and ways of life. Especially, music had a great place but painting was not that much known. But there were individuals who surmounted the challenges and shined in the field.
Herald: What are the challenges in Ethiopia’s art?
Artist Leulseged: As to me, for developing countries like Ethiopia, the biggest challenge is to establish art galleries and find art materials. Unlike other countries, Ethiopia has proffered so many artistic works to the world. Especially in painting, Ethiopian artists had fought too hard and they are still contributing amazing works to art lovers.
There are many Ethiopian painters to whom we owe a lot. Agegnew Engda, Aleka Mezmur and Aleka Dawit are just to mention the pioneer ecclesial painters. The teachers mentioned above taught art in different art schools. They passed down their knowledge properly. They played a great role in churning out creative artists.
Though there were many artists only a few shined. Many of them perished for want of discipline. The reason is not ascribed to lack of teaching techniques or knowledge but lack of discipline. Lack of discipline has made us pay too much cost. Maybe in the near future by improving the curriculum and exercising moral teachings, I hope things will take a turn for the better. In the first place, anyone who joins the art world must be disciplined. If he cannot learn discipline, things will definitely go wrong.
The other thing that mounts by the day in an artist’s heart is passion. Passion will not crystalize easily. Whether one has it or not, one needs something to inspire him/her. To fortify one’s inspiration, one needs to see, hear and touch wonderful things. In addition, one must know the marvelous histories and cultures in one country.
To wrap up, the challenges I mentioned can be solved if the government and individuals work together. All duties must not be left to the government alone. Individuals must also play their due share.
Herald: Who are your role models?
Artist Leulseged: I always say that my role models are too many. For Example: Tadesse Mesfin, Teshome Bekele, Gebre Kristos Desta. Atop on the list is Maittre Loret Afewerk Tekle.
Furthermore, I always admire my three school friends namely Sisay Beyene, Tewolde Samuel, and Demissie Shiferaw. Demissie Shiferaw had passed away but the
other two are alive. I always looked up to them. They are my first inspirations. I drew so many lessons from their works.
Herald: Do you think that proper work on knowledge transfer is being done? What should be done down the road?
Artist Leulseged: I think everyone tries to contribute a bit of his/her share. The annual Ethiopia Art Fair at Sheraton Addis Hotel is my great initiation. It is my great project held in collaboration with Sheraton Addis Hotel. I am very proud of that. It will create a good impact and build the image of the country’s art. The project started ideally in 2007 and continued to 2008. The former Sheraton manager Mr. Champier Maringoff helped me a lot. I want to thank him on behalf of me and the Ethiopian people because. He laid a cornerstone for the betterment of Ethiopian Art. In addition, Sheik Mohammed Hussein Al Amoudi, Abinet G/Meskel and Dereje Yesuwerk provided a lot for the betterment of Ethiopian Art.
They allow us to present our works every year at Sheraton. That is a great offer. Due to their good deeds, we are able to get a convenient place to present our works. It is a great deal to the coming generation. Every time I used to say “How lucky I am for being part of it!” There was nothing we lacked while preparing this event. Sheraton Addis’s management and the staff have been by our side in our needs. Ethiopia’s art has not fully unfurled. There are things left to be done. If we get support we will like to do more utilizing our knowledge.
Herald: What should be done to promote art as promoting art is tantamount to promoting the country?
Artist Leulseged: There must be institutions and critics. Most of all, new galleries should be opened by either the government or any foreign investor. Modern galleries must be opened. At least, there has to be multipurpose galleries that can be used as theater houses too. I believe, Individuals enthusiasm and push forward have brought us here. But now the involvement of investors and the government should be there.
Herald: How do you assess the level of our art as compared to other countries?
Artist Leulseged: The growth of our art leaned on individual artists’ effort. People may not notice it though. In painting we are far ahead as compared to other African Countries. Sudan can also be put on par with us. But we are the only country boasting diversity with beautiful harmony.
There is a huge chance for our art to grow more but we have to be united to promote our culture. We have to forge ties.
The Ethiopian Herald Sunday Edition 29 December 2019
BY AMBO MEKASA
