Chadni Days
A SERIES MADE IN ETHIOPIA
“Ethiopia has seen me grow. It has given me soulmates, flatmates, friends, lovers, more or less chaotic jobs. It has given me flowers, mountains, volcanoes, lakes, bustling streets, incredible food, incredible food poisoning, crippling anxiety, sorrow, anger and incomprehension in the face of war, immense joy, moments of pure bliss and ecstasy, hope and hopelessness, and a lifetime worth of striking visual memories. It has given me new definitions of beauty and pushed me to start my journey as an artist (although I still mumble this word without really owning it yet). Ethiopiaye, I said goodbye to you but I love you like no other place.”
Ethiopian Rêverie - Watercolor on paper (2019) - 21 cm x 29.7 cm. Original sold. Prints available.
Visit to the Cheikh - Mixed media on paper (2022) - 29.7 cm x 42 cm. Original and prints available for sale.
The Harar Hyenas - Oil pastel on paper - 21 cm x 29.7 cm (2022). Original sold. Prints available.
Anisa in Harar - Oil pastels on paper (2019) - 29.7 cm x 42 cm. Original and prints available for sale.
The Great Itch - Pastels on paper (2021) - 29.7 cm x 42 cm. Original and prints available for sale.
Tribe - Oil on cardboard (2019) - 120x70cm. Original sold. Prints available.
Locusts - Mixed media on paper (2020) - 29.7 cm x 42 cm. Original sold.
LOCUSTS - 2020
In 2019, giant locust swarms migrated across East Africa and Yemen, devouring harvests and destroying all crops on their way.
Locusts are not these monster creatures on their own. Alone, a locust lives a peaceful, unremarkable life, which somehow even shows in its insignificant beige colour. But when they start congregating, these insects can turn into the uncontrollably ravaging pest described in Biblical passages.
Looking at pictures of these grasshopers transforming into billions of hideously yellow beasts terrified me. But I couldn't even start imagining the deafening, constant buzzing sound that the farmers get to hear as they watch their harvest vanish. I couldn't even start imagining the feeling of the teeming insects rattling against human bodies, as farmers try to cut through the clouds to save whatever they can of their livelihood. By cutting dozens little pieces of paper, one by one, to illustrate locusts on this painting, I could only get a sense of helpless vertigo as I tried to grasp the innumerable nature of the evil swarms.Since 2019, giant locust swarms have been migrating across East Africa and Yemen, devouring harvests and destroying all crops on their way. In Ethiopia, we are expecting a second wave as the March rains have favoured the breeding of a new generation.
Locusts are not these monster creatures on their own. Alone, a locust lives a peaceful, unremarkable life, which somehow even shows in its insignificant beige colour. But when they start congregating, these insects can turn into the uncontrollably ravaging pest described in the Bible.
Looking at pictures of these grasshopers transforming into billions of hideously yellow beasts terrified me. But I couldn't even start imagining the deafening, constant buzzing sound that the farmers get to hear as they watch their harvest vanish. I couldn't even start imagining the feeling of the teeming insects rattling against human bodies, as farmers try to cut through the clouds to save whatever they can of their livelihood. By cutting dozens little pieces of paper, one by one, to illustrate locusts on this painting, I could only get a sense of helpless vertigo as I tried to grasp the innumerable nature of the evil swarms.