Getachew Yossef, Ethiopian artist and Rastafarian, has followed an unusual path and is not as well known internationally as his artistic contemporaries. Born in Dessie in 1957, he schooled in Addis Ababa—his father worked for Prince Asfa Wossen, son of Haile Selassie, so Getachew lived in the palace. He studied at the art school in Addis and later in Leipzig. Racist East Germany was not a welcoming experience for an African in the 1980s, but it led him to reflect on his African roots. Why is there so much misery and warfare on a continent with beautiful landscapes and warm sun? While in East Germany he learned about Rastafarianism, listened to Bob Marley and Peter Tosh, and found consolation in its rejection of ‘Babylon.’ And he adopted dreadlocks.

His paintings depict both horrific references to the Derg era as well as serene, peaceful images—the sun, mother & child, horses. Elisabeth Biasio walks us through the changing themes and imagery of his painting. Getachew is also a sculptor; he was commissioned to do public monuments, notably the “African Union” and “China-Africa Forum” in Addis Ababa. He has also made naturalistic bronze sculptures of animals and people as well as religious ones, such as “Archangel Gabriel.” He still teaches at the School of Fine Art in Addis and remains active in his own art practice. Elisabeth Biasio is to be credited with giving this artist the visibility he deserves. She first interviewed him in 1993 and again 2009.