13 Facts About Afewerk Tekle

Afewerk Tekle was an Ethiopian artist, particularly known for his paintings on African and Christian themes as well as his stained glass.

Afewerk Tekle recalls being told "you must work hard, and when you come back do not tell us what tall buildings you saw in Europe, or what wide streets they have, but make sure you return equipped with the skills and the mindset to rebuild Ethiopia".

Afewerk Tekle had already shown talent as an artist as a child, decorating several walls in his home town.

Afewerk Tekle then went on to the Slade School of Art where he studied painting, sculpture and architecture.

Afewerk Tekle made a special study on Ethiopian illustrated manuscripts in the British Library, the Bibliotheque Nationale in Paris and the Vatican Library.

Back in Ethiopia, Afewerk Tekle opened a studio in the National Library of Ethiopia.

Afewerk Tekle was commissioned to produce sculptures of famous Ethiopians, although only the monumental statue of Ras Makonnen in Harrar was completed.

In 1961, Afewerk Tekle held a major retrospective in Addis Ababa, which led to his painting Maskal Flower being shown at international exhibitions in Russia, the United States and Senegal.

Afewerk Tekle was nominated as the Laureate of the Biennale which gave him membership of the French International Academy of Arts.

Afewerk Tekle had membership of the Russian Academy of Arts, so he became the first African member in 1983.

Afewerk Tekle lived in Addis Ababa but had a second residence in Hawassa in the Sidama Region close to Lake Hawassa.

Afewerk Tekle died on 10 April 2012 from severe stomach ulcer complications after receiving treatment at a private hospital in Addis Ababa and was buried at the cemetery of the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Addis Ababa.

Afewerk Tekle's death received wide media coverage in the country, with a national committee-arranged funeral.