Ethiopian contemporary artist Sinafikish Zeleke’s 20 acrylic paintings on display at PG Building Library Hall, Main Campus are optimistic canvas showcasing Ethiopian ethos, cultural spender, social mores and ongoing transition from under-development to self-sufficiency. Click here to view the Pictures.

University President, Dr Feleke Woldeyes, opening the exhibition, said, ‘‘Painters, poets, actors and writers are creative individuals, whose creativity is always there for the welfare of the society. They have a purpose to identify problems and offers solution in unique ways. Being the real cultural ambassador of the nation their aesthetic sense and artistic sensitivity put them on the higher pedestal.
In this context, I welcome Sinafikish in Arba Minch University; it’s our privilege and honor to host such a promising contemporary female artist of Ethiopia. I am sure her works will educate, sensitize and enthrall our university community in many ways.’’
Walking down the memory lane, Sinafikish, said, ‘‘From school days, I was quiet and would observe things peacefully, I loved to draw anything comes to my mind. At Grade IV, my teacher spotted me and encourages and introduced use of water color, charcoal to me. At times I would squeeze flower petals and leaves and create different colors to paint.’’
She is a graduate from Alle Design and Fine Arts School in Addis Ababa, thereon, served as a teacher of Arts & Craft at Indian National School in Addis Ababa for over 20 years. Since, 2014, she is fully devoted to professional painting.
Till date, with over 300 paintings to her credit, she has had 45 solo exhibitions in Ethiopia including India, Italy, Spain and elsewhere. With forward-looking leitmotif, her works talk about hope, peace, advancement, development and betterment of Ethiopia.
‘‘I paint, what I feel and observe; basically the culture of my country excite me much, her people, landscape and social structure are my inspiration. When I look at other nations rapidly advancing in different arenas, I hope Ethiopia should catch up with them. But at the same time, I want to reach out to everyone through my paintings advocating for peace and social harmony in African continent,’’ she added.
Her works, ‘Kirar Playar’, is about music of Ethiopia, ‘Peace of Africa,’ has larger mandate of peace and unity, ‘Dawit/Goliath,’ the Biblical character, takes you back into the bygone era; ‘Science and Technology,’ is an embodiment of advancement, ‘Vision,’ denotes whirligig of life, ‘It’s Mine,’ portrays culture of Gamo Gofa region, ‘Contrast,’ mirrors paradox of life, while ‘Bunna Enteta,’ epitomizes the inherent culture of Ethiopia. Peace, love, hope, unity and development are the central theme of art; use of colors like blues, green, white and landscape speak volume about her purpose.
The world marred by countless political, pseudo religious strife and social discord, where hope gets crushed by hardliners and development goes haywire, people like Sinafikish Zeleke offers respite. Her soothing works provide fillip to make life better by shunning conflict.

(By Corporate Communication Directorate: Philips Joseph)