Ficre Ghebreyesus Venice Biennale Art Exhibition

The works of Ficre Ghebreyesus (1962-2012 Eritrea-United States) are exhibited in the Corderie of the Arsenal in Venice.

Ficre Ghebreyesus “City with a River Running Through”

Painting - Acrylic on Canvas (185.7 x 563.2 cm) 2011
This painting is composed of geometric shapes bursting with colours to represent an urban landscape crossed by a wide river in memory of the painter's birthplace.

Ficre Ghebreyesus was born in Asmara to a Coptic Christian family during the war of independence waged between 1961 and 1991 by Eritreans against Ethiopia.

As a teenager, he emigrated to the United States, to New Haven, where he and his brothers opened a restaurant specialising in East African cuisine.

Then he began to paint, driven by nostalgia and memories of the life he had had to leave because of the conflict.

His palette has recovered the colours of his country, especially the oranges and peach colours traditionally used to manufacture basketry and embroidery, colours that cover the walls of the modern houses of the capital of Eritrea.

Ficre Ghebreyesus “Figure with Trees and Horse Head”

Painting - Acrylic on Canvas 2011
The slender figure of the young man in the saddle looking at the trees in front of him is not a burden on the horse carrying it.

The young man extends a hand to the head of the horse that has no bit that directs him, a friendly hand of the master who takes care of him.

The character, the horse, and the trees presented in the form of elegant sketches painted in light colours perfectly illustrate the serenity of a people living in harmony with their natural environment.

A luminous painting representing the simple happiness of life.

Ficre Ghebreyesus “Fish”

Painting - Acrylic on Canvas 2011
The dream of a life under the sea is finally realised for the figure of this man swimming among magnificent multicoloured fish; however, it is clear that the ocean is not without violence since each of them only seeks to devour a smaller one than himself.

In reality, man pursues them in the company of the biggest predators.

Ficre Ghebreyesus “Seated Musician with Feathered Wing”

Painting - Acrylic on Canvas 2011
A very stylised and expressive painting, especially the shadow on one side of the face and the blue hat of the musician that stands out against a background of checkerboards in warm colours.

The yellow bust of the musician stands holding his tambourine in front of him on a predominantly blue background in harmony with his hat inclined to one side.

The musician's body is seen in profile, and his face is turned towards the spectator to get the impression that he is playing in front of us and for us.

When Ghebreyesus died in 2012, most of his paintings had never been exhibited in public.

City with a River Running Through

Figure with Trees and Horse Head

Ficre Ghebreyesus

Ficre Ghebreyesus, Seated Musician