The Alpha Touch

He is a towering figure of Ethiopian, African and world art. This consummate artist, in addition to his great works of painting, sculpture and design, is also a thinker and to add to his globally acknowledged prolific body of work he is still humble enough to state that his best work lies ahead.

The Most Hon. Maitre Artist World Laureate Afework Tekle is an Ethiopian institution and has been a huge source of pride to Ethiopians for several decades. It is our pleasure to present to you the full text of a rare interview the Laureate Artist gave to Capital’s Addis Mulugeta.

Capital: Tell us about your masterpieces and which your favorites are?
Laureate Afewerk: The answer I can give is that I hope it will be the one I will paint next. You never reach that point of satisfaction. Artists like me believe that the best masterpiece will hopefully be the next inspiration. Because when you finish one work, you feel as if it is going to be the greatest masterpiece but time passes and somehow you never rely on that point of satisfaction for long.

Capital: What is the role of art in society?
Laureate Afewerk: The great importance of art in society is that people; students, the elderly and society at large could see reflections of themselves in art. Cultural, societal and economic issues are also reflected by art. Moreover, it passes the contemporary situation of current society to future generations. Future generations can learn a great deal from current literature, art, sculpture or music. Apart from its high value in education, art is also a valuable medium for enjoyment, relaxation and the philosophy of life.

Capital: You have attended prestigious art schools. Which of your professors affected you the most?
Laureate Afewerk: I always remember a certain professor's advice. At the time he was 70 and I was just 28 years old. When it was time for me to leave the Academy, I asked him to give me three items of advice. I said "Professor, I have studied under you for about four years; I also appreciate your teaching methodologies, but you have never been to Africa. Now I will be leaving for my country to be creative with the toots that you have given me".
My professor said ,"Firstly, you are a little bit lazy; but you have great talent. Working eight hours, fun for eight hours and eight hours sleep is not important for you. You must try to work at least 14 hours a day and think about art.
Secondly, you must walk at least a few kilometers before you put your decisive brush on the canvas. Finally, whenever you exhibit around the world to show your work you will meet critics that write about you. As long as you are sincere in your work, ignore the bad things and accept the admiration. Be extra careful to dedicate what they say to your next work. I will give you a fourth one, you are very ambitious, you taught me a lot about your love for your country, and the love of your great emperor, you haven't left your country in times of crises and have not exposed yourself to bad conditions".

Capital: Are you actualizing yourself at the moment?
Laureate Afewerk: I hope so. You see, I still work more than eight hours a day. Thanks to Ethiopia. I am full of inspiration. Thank God, that Ethiopia is peaceful and I am able to travel to any country in the world. I will have to do more; I have a lot of paintings and sculptures in my mind, and the only thing I need is time to get it all out on canvas.

Capital: What would you have been if you had not been an artist?
Laureate Afewerk: When I left Ethiopia at the age of sixteen, I was given advice by the Emperor of what I was going to study abroad. I would have liked to be a mining engineer because I wanted all the gold from the ground out so that I would make Ethiopia rich. However, many people advised me to become an artist because they noted my natural talent. Fortunately, I changed my mind and Silvia Pankhrust, (who I thank deeply) wrote a letter to the emperor to send me to Oxford University to study art. The advice of people and my own wish became true.

Capital: Who do you admire most among all-time world painters?
Laureate Afewerk: They all fall in the time of the renaissance; Leonardo da Vinci, Michael Angelo, Matthias Grunavalde, Goya, from ancient Egyptian art , Nefertiti ,who is now in a German museum and also painters in South America like Gegoribera.

Capital: Why did you name your beautiful home Villa Alpha?
Laureate Afewerk: This is a very interesting question. When I was a first year student at the academy of the Slaid University of London, my Professor asked the students to compare and contrast painters such as Michael Angelo, Matthias Grunavald and Elgrie. However, I started my paper by stating why some questions should not be asked in the first place. And surprisingly enough, when the result was to be announced, the Professor called out a British student to read the essay to the class. Then the Professor said, should this student pass the exam or should he fail? The professor ruled that I knew his subject very well and that I answered the questions satisfactorily. He should not only pass but should get an Alpha plus. Therefore, from that day on I used the name Alpha for my works. After completing my studies in the academy, I got a chance to travel to where the great masterpieces of the world, such as the Mona Lisa, the Sistine chapel of Michael Angelo and many others are found. So, wherever I paint a drawing or a series of paintings, whether it is a hotel, a group of people or a certain house of guests, I always called it "Alpha" Naturally, when I built my own house and studio I named it "Villa Alpha" or "Studio Alpha".

Capital: What inspired you to make a film about Villa Alpha?
Laureate Afewerk Tekele: I have always tried of search for a means to shareing my creations, the exhibitions I displayed internationally and the recognitions that I have received with all the Ethiopian people. When this film was proposed by Ato Tsegay Alemayeu, the founder of Beti organization, I was delighted because the film was one way to share whatever I have in my home and studio with the public. People from all over the world make appointments with me to see my paintings such as. 'Mother Ethiopia'. ‘The Semen Mountains’, ‘The Meskel Flower’ and ‘Unity of Mankind.’ But these paintings are not well known in my homeland and I always wanted to share them with the Ethiopian public. So taking the opportunities created by the Ethiopian millennium celebrations, I decided to organize the general creative atmosphere of my studio for people who want to see the originals of my paintings, awards certificates and diplomas. The film will be a good beginning to my dream of sharing my original masterpieces until the time I open a dedicated gallery.

Capital: Do you think that the film reflects your masterpieces satisfactorily?
Laureate Afewerk: Well, it is better than nothing. At least, it creates a certain satisfaction because the public was never able to see the original paintings, my certificates, awards and diplomas. The film provides these so in that sense, it has filled a very great gap for the first time.

Capital: Do you plan to have the film translated into languages other than the original Amharic?
Laureate Afewerk: Yes. It will be translated into English, French, Russian and Spanish and in as many other languages as possible, especially the languages of the countries that have honored me as an artist. We made the film in Amharic first to test the water, as I felt that I should first share it with my fellow Ethiopians.
Capital: How much did you spend on production? Do you anticipate profits from the sale of the film?
Laureate Afewerk: Tsegay financed the film and I am very pleased that I have met such a person who is willing to support artists like me and others. Someday we may get some profit from the film, and if we do, Tsegay will get a 70 percent share since he invested most of the money.
I am very satisfied that Tsegay offered to help me address my pieces of work to the public through a film.

Capital: What do you wish to achieve in the future?
Laureate Afewerk: I would like to create one outstanding piece of painting, sculpture or architecture. I will exert all my energy and focus to write about my artistic journey, for more than 14 hours a day.

Capital: What would be your message to young Ethiopian painters?
Laureate Afewerk: We Ethiopians are very fortunate as we have the great heritage of the Axum obelisk, Lalibela, Gonder, Harar and churches to inspire us. We can take something from that heritage and develop it as a painter. So my advice to young painters is that they have be prolific and that they participate in many exhibitions I would also say be aware of abstruse art and study nature seriously. They should also use computers since it is very important to choose colors.