Described as an artist who inspires more puzzled expressions than praise, Daniel Taye’s flow of thoughts and perceiving things differently are his forte. His paintings might not fit any of the usual categories of Ethiopian fine art, traditional religious art, or abstract impressionism but the strokes and the enchanting color schemes over the canvas bring his work alive. He experiments with different mediums, color composition and depth. Daniel is known for his evocative landscape and figurative work.
Daniel attended the Alle School of Fine Arts and Design of Addis Ababa University. He is planning to exhibit his works on April 8 at Moa Anbessa Art Studio Gallery. Capital’s Metasebia Teshome talked to him about his works. Excerpts;
Capital: How long have you been working as a painter?
Daniel Taye: It has been more than 25 years since I start painting. I have graduated from Addis Ababa University with art degree in 1990. Since then I have been in the art industry.
Capital: How do you see the current growth of the industry?
Daniel Taye: Today, the artistic practices of the late 1970s and 1980s seem to have all disappeared. However, since the new generation of artists are influenced by the country’s tumultuous past, doubts linger as to what to do and how to define it. Themes, techniques, and subject matter repeat themselves in endless yet lively variation in an attempt to gain approval and recognition.
Capital: How was the last three decades in the art industry?
Daniel Taye: It was good, and also challenging, sometimes your work makes you happy and sometimes you could hate everything you have been doing. Through this period I have shown my works on more than 20 exhibitions, displaying more than 80 different paintings. The last time I have done an exhibition was five years ago. After that this one is going to be my first.
Most of my drawings show time, situations, emotions and events. My work has been exhibited in numerous venues throughout Ethiopia including the National Museum, Goethe-Institute and the Italian Cultural Institute. Also my drawings were showcased internationally including in Holland and the United States among others.
Also St. George Gallery has exhibited my work since 2000 and some of my paintings are part of the Gallery’s permanent collections.
Capital: How do you describe Art?
Daniel Taye: Art is an expression of our thoughts, emotions, intuitions, and desires, but it is even more personal than that: it’s about sharing the way we experience the world, which for many is an extension of personality.
Capital: How do you describe yourself as an artist?
Daniel Taye: I describe myself as an artist who inspires more puzzled expressions than praises. Most of my paintings might not fit any of the usual categories of fine art, traditional religious art, or abstract impressionism but the strokes and the enchanting color schemes over the canvas bring his work alive. He experiments with different mediums, color composition and depth. Most of them are landscape and figurative work.
Capital: What inspires you to be an artist?
Daniel Taye: I grew up closely involved with the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Every corner of Churches display different paintings which has the power to explain the bible with drawings so that people can easily understand. That has been always forced me to get in the art industry.
Capital: What was the challenges you have been facing?
Daniel Taye: There were lots of challenges throughout this time, but one thing I want to select is Covid, the limitation to gathering has hindered us to show case our works, to meet people. Especially for those of us who didn’t have any other income expect selling our works.
Capital: Tell us about your exhibition, what is your plan?
Daniel Taye: My exhibition is going to the first in 5 years. I am planning to show case more than 20 drawings for 15 days starting from April 8, 2022. Most of the drawing has descriptions of time and situations, beside the show case I will also expect to sell drawings.
