Yoseph Abate

Yoseph Abate

Yoseph Abate has been developing his artistic skills since he was very young. Growing up in Bahir Dar, he began by tracing images from his brother and sister's textbooks. His family and neighbors were highly im-pressed when Yoseph recreated the iconic Ibex (featured on the ten cent coin) with leaves, red soil, mud and chalk. This positive feedback encouraged him to enter a children's art competition in Gojam, where he was awarded first prize.

Yoseph has great strength and determination; he wanted to improve his natural talent by pursuing more formal education. He came to Addis Ababa, and with help from his older brother, Yoseph continued to attend high school during the day, while attending evening art classes. He graduated from both, and went on to get his diploma from the Art School at the Addis Ababa University.

Since graduating, he has displayed his works in many well-known galleries in Addis Ababa. His current works are brilliant portraits of life throughout Addis Ababa. Rather than using traditional artist tools, Yoseph uses spoons, which add depth and texture to his pieces.