Prince Merid Tafesse Damtew was born and raised in Ethiopia, by his father Tafesse Damtew, a well travelled banker from Menz/Ambo and his mother Li’ilit Tafesse (born Almaz Yilma), a self-taught artist from the line of King Sahle Selassie Wossen Seged of Shewa.

Prince Merid’s most recent solo exhibition, “Li’ilit: An Hommage to Mother” recognized his mother’s early influence on his trajectory in art. Merid began copying her work in his early childhood, as young as years old. The exhibition grants a view into his 25 years in art (1999 to 2024) presenting over 150 works at St. George Golla Art Gallery in March and April 2024.

His art is filled with traces from his genetic memory and powerful line. The manifestation of Merid’s physical and spiritual DNA and destiny is in his art, which has been viewed across international exhibitions, commissions, residencies and publication illustrations since graduating from Addis Abeba School of Fine Art and Design in 1999.

 Outstanding

Charcoal on paper
100 cm x 70 cm
400,000 ETB

 Big Apple or Peach

Mixed media on paper
85 cm x 61 cm
300,000 ETB

 Memoir of Stone Age

Charcoal on paper
2.70 m x 1.20 m
1,000,000 ETB