I am Sintayehu Teferi, a multidisciplinary artist from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, working across painting, sculpture, photography, product design, and art activism. I am dedicated to using art as a bridge for social connection and cultural reflection.

With a BFA from the Alle School of Fine Arts and Design and a BA in Sociology from St. Mary’s University, both earned in 2018, my work is informed by a blend of artistic and sociological insight. In 2021, I completed an MA in African Studies at the University of Addis Ababa, further shaping my Pan-African vision and focus on themes of identity and heritage.
My work has been exhibited at prominent venues, including the African Union, the Italian Cultural Institute, Entoto Museum, Atmosphere Art Gallery Addis Ababa University , and Hilton Addis Ababa.

Through these exhibitions, I aim to spark dialogue around art’s role in social change and cultural resilience.

Construction of Building vs. Humanity

This painting delves into the paradox between the construction of buildings and the essence of humanity. It raises thought-provoking questions about the intangible values often overlooked in the pursuit of urban development and modern civilization. Through layered textures and expressive strokes, the piece challenges viewers to reflect on the balance between architectural progress and the human experience within these constructed environments.

Nostalgia of an Old Wall

This evocative mixed media artwork pays homage to the fading memories and stories etched into the walls of an old house in Addis Ababa. The piece weaves together elements of collage—such as aged newspapers and magazine pages—with expressive freehand lines, creating a tactile narrative that bridges the past and the present. The scratched textures and layered compositions mirror the weathered surfaces of a bygone home, each mark carrying the weight of lived experiences. The collage fragments evoke nostalgia, serving as remnants of history, while the freehand scratches symbolize the enduring presence of artistic inspiration amidst the decay. This piece invites viewers to reflect on the ephemeral beauty of timeworn spaces and the silent tales they hold. A tribute to memory, identity, and creative expression, it captures the emotional resonance of architecture as a vessel for personal and collective histories.

Beyond the Object

This artwork explores the juxtaposition of various elements derived from found objects. Through a process of combining diverse materials, I discovered a symbolic form resembling an Afro comb intertwined with Ethiopian alphabetic letters. This piece reflects a dialogue between cultural identity and artistic expression, merging traditional motifs with contemporary techniques to create a thought-provoking visual narrative.

Junctions of Duality

Inspired by African traditional symbolic art, this painting explores themes of human connection and duality. The circular form at the center represents humanity, while abstract shapes on the canvas symbolize the feminine and masculine aspects of the human experience. The left side of the painting portrays the female form, and the right side represents the male form. In the center, a column symbolizes the unity and harmony achieved through the combination of both energies. The work reflects on the interplay between gender, identity, and togetherness.

The Tale of an Afro Comb

This artwork reflects cultural pride, rooted in the history and identity of African heritage. The Afro comb, central to the piece, transcends its physical form, embodying strength, beauty, and the spirit of the “Black is Beautiful” movement. The brackets formed by black tires on either side symbolize a framework of cultural preservation and unity. Meanwhile, the three lines on the left express themes of pride, cultural value, and identity, weaving a story that honors the richness and resilience of African traditions.

The Story of an Ankh

This artwork weaves a narrative of life’s cyclical journey, exploring themes of existence, loss, immortality, and rebirth. The thread symbolizes the enduring values of faith and belief, tying together the layers of life and the afterlife. Each element—such as the wooden comb and Anche cross—represents different facets of human experience, creating a tapestry of interconnected meanings. The piece invites viewers to reflect on the continuity of life and the transformation of forms through time.

Free Children

This painting captures the essence of childhood freedom, depicting playful games such as jumping and fishing under the rising morning sun. The free, expressive strokes of pastel convey the emotional value of being a child, symbolizing innocence, joy, and unrestrained energy. The artwork reflects a time when life was simple, carefree, and filled with boundless possibilities.

Nostalgia of Addis Ababa

This painting reflects my observation of life within the ghetto areas of Addis Ababa. The earthy color palette embodies the essence of cheka (soil) walls, evoking nostalgia for the textures and emotions tied to these spaces. Captured in the piece are text-based graffiti and freehand scratches on the walls, symbolizing the undertrained expressions of individuals living in these communities. The collaged elements convey fragments of my personal experiences, celebrating the interplay between memories and the architectural remnants of a bygone era.

The Notorious Child

This painting depicts a rebellious boy expressing his disagreement with a society that underestimates the value of art and freedom of expression. The abstract imagery serves as a representation of my own journey as an artist. The portrait of the notorious child reflects his early teenage years, where he was deeply immersed in doodling, sketching, and painting. The artwork captures his defiance and passion for creativity, symbolizing the power of self-expression despite societal constraints.

Vibration on the Head

This painting reflects personal memories from my childhood, where I used to play by crafting cars from recycled tires, soles, and slippers. This process of creation paved the way for my artistic journey, symbolizing both freedom and expression. The marks on the head of the figure in the painting represent the flow of thoughts and clarity gained through the creative process, as well as the impact of adulthood and self-reflection.
The work captures the essence of both childlike imagination and the evolution of artistic development

The Warmest Head

This artwork expresses a profound sense of warmth through the improvisational fusion of jazz music and painting. The lines beneath the portrait convey an electrifying combination of sound and color, capturing the dynamic interplay between the two. The piece reflects the heightened emotional resonance of music, translated into visual form, creating an immersive experience that invites the viewer to feel the energy and vibrancy inherent in both sound and color.

Nostalgia of Childhood

This expansive piece explores the uninhibited creativity and joy of childhood through layered textures and vibrant forms. Drawing inspiration from Picasso’s sentiment that “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up,” the painting reflects the boundless imagination and freedom of youth. The composition incorporates elements of children’s exercise books as collage material, symbolizing the playful structure and spontaneity of early education. The free-flowing lines evoke the universal childhood urge to doodle, capturing the essence of uninhibited artistic expression. At the base of the painting, whimsical depictions of childhood games bring a sense of nostalgia and connectivity, grounding the piece in relatable experiences. The layered arrangement of textures and colors enhances the narrative depth, inviting viewers to reflect on their own journey of creative discovery and the challenges of preserving that artistic spirit into adulthood.

Talk Between Other and Inner World

This artwork explores the profound connection between internal emotions and external experiences. The imagery symbolizes the nurturing essence of the womb, representing the intimate, protective world within a mother. Juxtaposed with this is the outer world, embodying life’s complexities and challenges. Through layered textures and expressive forms, the piece bridges these two realms, inviting contemplation on the interplay between personal introspection and external reality. It is a visual dialogue of life’s contrasts—intimacy versus exposure, protection versus growth.

The Flow of The Music

This artwork captures the dynamic essence of jazz music, translating its rhythms and tones into a visual experience. The swirling forms and bold shapes evoke the rise and fall of musical flow, with the round elements symbolizing the starting pitches of sound. The keyboard becomes a visual anchor, guiding the viewer through the composition. Vibrant background colors represent the lower tones, while the elevated circular form above conveys the high, soaring notes of jazz. This piece is a tribute to the interplay of sound and movement, embodying the improvisational spirit of music through art.