Solomon Geleta
Solomon Geleta Urgessa (b. 1990) is a full-time studio artist based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from the Addis Ababa University Alle School of Fine Arts and Design in 2018. Following in the footsteps of his brother Asrat Urgessa and Tesfaye Urgessa (60th Venice Biennial - Ethiopia Pavilion) who graduated from the same school in 2004 and 2006, respectively Solomon also studied under the influential Ethiopian modernist artist Tadesse Mesfin.
Solomon focuses on capturing the essence of daily urban life within the broader community. His artwork serves as a critical commentary on the constantly evolving social and political structures. As an emerging artist, Solomon is actively developing his unique visual language, drawing inspiration from the works of his former mentor, Tadesse Mesfin, and his older brother, Tesfaye Urgessa. Solomon, who prefers oil painting because he believes it enables him to capture the nuances of the flesh effectively, portrays figures that make direct eye contact with the viewer. In his most recent collection titled "Connections," the artist delves into the political and social implications of engaging with and consuming information in the realm of social media.
Solomon Urgessa is currently represented by Post Gallery Ethiopia, which showcased his works at the FnB Joburg 2024 Art Fair. Moreover, he has been involved in numerous exhibitions hosted by the Addis Ababa Museum, Alliance Ethio-Française, Addis Ababa City Hall, and the Sheraton Addis.
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