Oppressed Passions
Art Exhibition by Estifanos Solomon
This marks Estifanos’s first solo exhibition, a powerful and thought-provoking collection shedding light on the often-overlooked issue of neglect and abuse toward children. In a world saturated with stimulation and distractions, Estifanos urges viewers to pause and consider the silent witnesses to our actions: children, who absorb and learn, often without our awareness. Through this collection, he invites his audience to reflect on their own role in shaping the lives of these young minds and questions whether society truly pays attention to the vulnerable children within it.
The theme has long been a focal point for Estifanos, with his concerns deepening as he witnessed and heard stories from the media and his community. He observed how modern life, with its focus on individualism and instant gratification, has made it easier to overlook the needs of children. Confronted with the reality that adults often fail to protect those who will shape the future, Estifanos uses his art as a vehicle for awareness and a catalyst for change.
In Oppressed Passion , Estifanos utilizes painting and printmaking to layer symbols that highlight the vulnerability of youth. Common motifs like flowers and teddy bears signify innocence, yet they also evoke the fragility of childhood. His use of green hues reflects societal conflicts and wars that impact children’s lives and dreams. Estifanos calls attention to how political and military powers frequently overlook the devastation their conflicts impose on innocent lives. Through these elements, he challenges viewers to confront the paradox of hands that both protect and harm.
This exhibition serves as a reminder that children are not shaped by chance but by the choices and actions of those around them. The innocence in the eyes of his painted subjects speaks volumes about their unawareness of the dangers surrounding them. This show is a call to society to reflect on the lessons it imparts to the next generation: Are we nurturing or stifling their dreams? Oppressed Passion is a powerful plea for awareness and change, urging us to protect and foster the passions of the most vulnerable among us.
Artist Biography
Estifanos Solomon (b. 1995) is a visual artist from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. He began his artistic journey at the Russian Center for Science and Culture (2014),
where he developed foundational skills in art. He went on to earn a diploma in painting from Entoto Polytechnic College (2018) and later completed his Bachelor of Fine Arts in printmaking from the Alle School of Fine Arts and Design (2022).
Estifanos's first group exhibition was held in 2014 at the Russian Science and Cultural Center, followed by exhibitions at Entoto Polytechnic College (2018),
Entoto Art Gallery (2022), and his graduation exhibition at the Alle School of Fine Arts and Design (2022). He has also been featured in group shows at the Goethe Institute (No More Art Movement , an international printmaking exhibition, 2022) and in Seoul, South Korea (View of Abyssinia , 2023).
Through his work in painting and printmaking, Estifanos brings forth narratives of passion and conflict, inviting viewers to consider new perspectives. His art is a reflection of personal experience, grounded in truth and storytelling. This exhibition marks Estifanos's first solo show, offering a new stage for his unique
vision.