The Ethiopian community in the DMV is buzzing with excitement as Tesfaye Urgessa, a contemporary Ethiopian artist, is representing his homeland at the 60th International Art Exhibition — La Biennale di Venezia. The exhibition, entitled “Prejudice and Belonging,” will mark Ethiopia’s first-ever pavilion at the prestigious event, housed in the Palazzo Bollani from April 20 to Nov. 24.
Urgessa’s journey from the Ale School of Art and Design in Addis Ababa to the global stages of D.C., Venice, and Miami underscores a deep narrative of migration, identity, and belonging.
“People tend to think I am painting victims in my canvases, but it’s completely different,” Urgessa explained. “The figures hold all kinds of emotions, fragility as well as confidence. It is the figure presented without any judgment.”
The exhibition’s title, “Prejudice and Belonging,” reflects Urgessa’s exploration of being a foreigner and the complexities of integration.
“It’s about being a foreigner and the way to belong and everything in between,” said Urgessa.
This theme resonates deeply within the Ethiopian community in the DMV area, home to one of the largest Ethiopian populations outside of Ethiopia. Many share similar experiences of displacement and cultural assimilation, and Urgessa’s artwork serves as a poignant reflection of their collective journey.
Lemn Sissay, the curator for the Ethiopian Pavilion, emphasized the global significance of this event.
“It is a great day for Ethiopia and Venice,” he said. “Art is deeply rooted in Ethiopian culture from the coffee ceremony to ancient Christian iconography. Contemporary Ethiopian art is rising in prominence and stature throughout the world.”
Back in D.C., Urgessa’s work continues to resonate, following his solo presentation at the Rubell Museum during Miami Art Week 2022. The connection to the Rubell Museum was facilitated by art collector Amir Shariat, who had been a supporter of Urgessa’s work.
“I introduced him and then they knew Saatchi,” Shariat explained, referring to how he helped bridge connections that brought Urgessa’s work to the Rubell’s attention. “I own a lot of his works, and I’m very biased. I love him.”
The Rubell Museum, known for spotlighting cutting-edge contemporary art, provided a platform for Urgessa to challenge and expand the narrative around the immigrant experience, particularly through the lens of racialized European surveillance culture.
H.E. Demitu Hambisa Bonsa, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Ethiopian Embassy in Rome, highlighted the broader implications of Ethiopia’s participation in the Biennale.
“Art and tourism development are no longer mere options but essential for economic diversification and job creation,” the ambassador declared. “This participation is a golden opportunity to foster art and tourism development, serving as a bridge for communication and cultural exchange.”