Art by Yohannes Andom

October 2008

These are just a few of the beautiful pieces on display in the 3rd Floor Gallery.
Please stop by Blair-Caldwell and enjoy the entire exhibit. This show is free and open to the public.

Artist Biography

"Ever since a tender age of five, I used to paint on the walls and on the floor in our house with charcoals and pencil colors. My father had already foreseen my fate. He used to buy me art supplies, and send me to the best art schools, to get me involved in the artistic world. My father was my biggest inspiration to become an artist, but the awards, appreciation, knowledge and encouragement of others further inspired me to pursue my dreams. I was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in 1973. The elementary school that I attended was a nice art oriented school. I won a couple of awards while I was in elementary school for best artist. I also went to the School of Arts in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and finished my studies in fine arts. I continued my education at Sir J-J School of Arts, a prestigious art school in Mumbai, India. I earned my B.F.A. in 1996. And currently I am a student at the Metropolitan State College of Denver in the field of digital Arts. I am working for my 2nd B.F.A.

My art work is mainly influenced, and inspired through African art from my birthplace, Indian miniature paintings that I explored in my stay in India, as well as American everyday objects such as soda cans and credit cards because they help me get a three dimensional view, but furthermore, I also comment on the materialistic lifestyle of Americans by depicting these objects in my art.

I see my art as being a Universal language. I have been trying to paint my dream and vision. My greatest inspiration came from different cultures, by combining my ideas and trying to create a universal art language. Over the years, I have participated in various solo and group shows in Africa, Italy, India, and Denver. I have lived in Italy and have done some artwork there as well.

I have won numerous awards for my art pieces including the Shankar International Children’s Competition in India at the age of 14, The Sir J-J School of Arts Annual Exhibition in1994 and 1995, and in the Eritrean Youth Poster Competition I won the1st prize when I was in college. I have also done some volunteer work in India, Ethiopia, and Eritrea. My volunteer work involved teaching young artists at elementary schools, helping out in art events, and organizing a couple of mural arts."

~Yohannes Andom  

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