የመክተፊያ እምቢልታ፡

Resonance of the Meketefiya:

A Tribute to Women’s Strength (Mektefua 5)

Art Exhibition by Tamerat Siltan

Tamerat Siltan’s artistic practice is deeply rooted in memory, tradition, and resilience. For eight years, he has explored the symbolic weight of the Meketefiya—the wooden chopping board found in Ethiopian homes. His fascination began in childhood, watching his mother use an aged Meketefiya, worn with time yet still serving its purpose. The dents and marks etched into its surface became metaphors for endurance, reflecting the silent sacrifices of women across generations.

What began as a representation of womanhood evolved into a broader exploration of the objects women interact with daily. Tamerat found that these materials—jute sacks, old newspapers, ropes—carried layered histories. A jute sack tells the journey of farmers, traders, and families. A newspaper holds the imprints of writers, printers, and readers. These materials, touched by many hands, embody the unseen narratives of labor, survival, and history.

Through painting and assemblage, Tamerat transforms these elements into intricate compositions. His use of color enhances the organic textures of his materials, breathing life into their inherent stories. As his technique has evolved, so has his ability to convey the strength and presence of women, no longer just as figures but as the very structures that sustain life. By allowing the materials to shape the process, he creates pieces that feel alive—woven with the energy of past and present artisans. His compositions and textures aim to evoke the spirit of those who have labored and nurtured, offering a visual language that bridges the human and natural worlds.

In Resonance of the Meketefiya, Tamerat reclaims overlooked materials and narratives, giving them new life and meaning. He invites viewers to engage with these familiar objects in unfamiliar ways, encouraging deeper reflection on labor, identity, and the enduring presence of nature in human life. In this exhibition, he weaves these histories together, urging us to listen, reflect, and recognize the quiet power embedded in the objects we so often overlook.

Artist Biography

Tamerat Siltan Tadesse (b. 1976) is an Ethiopian visual artist and printmaker based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. He earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Printmaking from the Addis Ababa University Alle School of Fine Arts and Design in 1999. For over two decades, he has developed a distinct artistic voice, blending traditional techniques with contemporary explorations of materials and form.

Tamerat has exhibited extensively both locally and internationally, showcasing his work in countries such as the United States, Germany, Romania, Italy, Serbia, Cyprus, and Russia. His solo exhibitions include Portraits at Anaphora Arts Gallery in Los Angeles (2024), Inseparable Ties at the National Museum of Unification in Romania (2023), and Women in Society at Red Door Art Gallery in Addis Ababa (2018), among others. He has also participated in major group exhibitions, including the 20th Frechen Triennial of Graphic Art in Germany (2024) and the United Nations 75th Anniversary Exhibition, where he represented Ethiopia.

Beyond his artistic practice, Tamerat has been actively involved in the Ethiopian art community, contributing to exhibitions, symposiums, and initiatives that promote contemporary Ethiopian art. His work is deeply rooted in themes of resilience, memory, and the narratives embedded in everyday materials. Through his art, he continues to explore the intersections of history, tradition, and modernity, creating pieces that invite reflection and engagement.