Mezgebu Tessema

Mezgebu Tessema (Amharic: መዝገቡ ተሰማ; born 1960) is a contemporary Ethiopian painter renowned for his oil color paintings on canvas, characterized by a unique and original artistic style.
Born in Enewari, a town in the Northern Shoa Administrative region of Ethiopia, Mezgebu developed an early connection with nature, significantly influencing his artistic skills and instincts..
==Biography==
===Early Life and Education===
Mezgebu began his education at Enewari Elementary School, followed by Highlemariam Mamo Comprehensive School in Debrebirhan. He later graduated with honors from the Ale School of Fine Arts and Design at Addis Ababa University .
In 1981, Mezgebu received a scholarship to study at the Ilya Efimovitch Repin Leningrad Institute of Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture in Russia, where he earned his Master of Fine Arts degree.
===Artistic Style and Themes===
Mezgebu's paintings depict scenes in a realistic and symbolic approach, characterized by their attention to detail and their ability to evoke the wonder of nature, everyday way of life and culture in Ethiopia reflected in his works such as “Adbar” .
Mezgebu's paintings are known for their rich and warm tones, achieved through skillful blending of colors reflecting his commitment to pictorial realism .
Mezgebu's art is highly imaginative and three-dimensional, showcasing his childhood dreams and memories. His paintings often explore the expression of time in space and the relativity of freedom . This is particularly exhibited in his painting named “The Heat”, which is made with a wooden charcoal. He explained that it resembles Erta Ale, the warmest place in Ethiopia, an area of active volcanoes found in the Afar region .
The rural culture of Ethiopia is often shown in his works, showcasing the beauty of the countryside atmosphere and the daily lives of its people . 
===Notable Works===
* Ngis (‘ንግሥ’)
* Adbar (‘አድባር’)
* Untitled (‘ያልተሰየመ’)
* Addis Amet (‘አዲስ አመት’)
* Yager Lij (‘ያገር ልጅ’)
* The Right Hand (‘ቀኝ እጅ’)
* Dreamer (‘ህልመኛ’)
* Vantage Point (‘ምቹ ቦታ’)
* The Return (‘መልስ’)
* Bulge (‘ወጣ ያለ’)
* The Sleeping Angels (‘የተኙ መላክት’)
* Soren (‘ሶረን’)
* Mid Day (‘እኩለ ቀን’)
* She and others (‘እሷ እና ሌሎች’)
==Contributions and Influence==
For over 30 years, Mezgebu has been an influential professor and art instructor at the Ale School of Fine Arts and Design at Addis Ababa University, making significant contributions to the Ethiopian art scene 
 
Mezgebu's artistic talent has gained recognition both within Ethiopia and internationally. His unique style and imaginative approach have made him a celebrated figure in the history of Ethiopian art.
He sees himself as part of a rich tradition of painting and has influenced other artists, such as Petros Meaza and Fitsum Tefera, who have become internationally renowned painters.
==Publications==
* La Revue Noire: Ethiopia, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ed., Paris, 1997.
* Ethiopian Bir (Business and Industry Report), T. Bifftu, USA, 1998
* Continuity and Change: Three Generations of Ethiopian Artists, Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art, University of Florida, USA, 2007.
* African Art, Vol. 40, Summer USA 2007.
* The Other Side of Africa, Ed. Tom Paterson, Winston Salem Journal, USA 2007.
* Culture and Change: Ethiopian Art, Denise Trunk, Volume 6, Issue 7, USA 2007.
Category:Ethiopian painters
Category:People from Rewari district
Category:1960 births
Category:Ethiopian people