Galerie Barbara Thumm \ Theo Eshetu

\Theo Eshetu

Theo Eshetu, *1958 in London, UK,
lives and works in Berlin, Germany and Rome, Italy.

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Throughout his prolific oeuvre, Theo Eshetu (*1958, London) has touched on themes taken from anthropology, art history, scientific research, and religious iconography to create a distinctive body of works based on a syncopated rhythmic montage of sounds and images. His works move freely from large-scale video installations to essay-like films that question the very reality of what images can reveal.

Born in London to Ethiopian and Dutch parents and raised in Rome, his multi-national background speaks to the complexity of identity in an increasingly globalized world. World cultures, in particular the relationship between Africa and Europe, inform his work through images of a collective unconscious, to comment on how electronic media has shaped and formed our perception of the world.

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Selected Works

Galerie Barbara Thumm \ Theo Eshetu \ Veiled Woman 1 (2012)

Theo Eshetu

Veiled Woman 1 (2012)
From The Lamu Project
Fine art print from analogue photograph on Hahnemühle paper
image size: 90 x 90 cm
framed: 117,5 x 117,5 cm
Edition 1/5 + 2 AP
Galerie Barbara Thumm \ Theo Eshetu \ Untitled (2024)

Theo Eshetu

Untitled (2024)
Fine art black and white prints
image size: 90 x 90 cm
framed: 112 x 112 cm
5 + 2 AP
Galerie Barbara Thumm \ Theo Eshetu \ Untitled (2024)

Theo Eshetu

Untitled (2024)
Fine art black and white prints
image size: 90 x 90 cm
framed: 112 x 112 cm
5 + 2 AP
Galerie Barbara Thumm \ Theo Eshetu \ Untitled (2024)

Theo Eshetu

Untitled (2024)
Fine art black and white prints
image size: 90 x 90 cm
framed: 112 x 112 cm
5 + 2 AP
Galerie Barbara Thumm \ Theo Eshetu \ Day and Night

Theo Eshetu

Day and Night
from the series: The Lamu Project
Video installation
Four 42-inch monitors
Two media players
Galerie Barbara Thumm \ Theo Eshetu \ Cats (2012)

Theo Eshetu

Cats (2012)
from the series: The Lamu Project
Video installation
For two monitors
Edition 1/5 + 2 AP
Galerie Barbara Thumm \ Theo Eshetu \ Dead Boys in Paradise (2024)

Theo Eshetu

Dead Boys in Paradise (2024)
Single screen projection
Site specific size measurements for projection
Duration: 33:00 min.
Sound Design by Keir Fraser
Edition 1/5 + 2 AP
Galerie Barbara Thumm \ Theo Eshetu \ Silhouettes and Shadows

Theo Eshetu

Silhouettes and Shadows
from the series: The Lamu Project
Video installation
Two HD Video projectors turned on their side
Thin Gauze fabric
Lights
Sound: stereo
Edition 1/5 + 2 AP
Galerie Barbara Thumm \ Theo Eshetu \ Boys and Girls

Theo Eshetu

Boys and Girls
from the series: Lamu Project
Video Installation
Four 42-inch monitors and one 32-inch monitor
Three media players
Synchronized playback
Duration: circa 15:00 min.
Sound: Stereo
Edition 1/5 + 2 AP
Galerie Barbara Thumm \ Theo Eshetu \ Seascape (2012)

Theo Eshetu

Seascape (2012)
from the series: The Lamu Project
Video installation
Proposal: four monitors (Two vertical monitors in the center and two horizontal monitors on each side)
Edition 1/5 + 2 AP
Galerie Barbara Thumm \ Theo Eshetu \ The Festival of Sacrifice (2012)

Theo Eshetu

The Festival of Sacrifice (2012)
from the series: The Lamu Project
Video installation
Varying number of monitors or projectors of different dimensions (various configurations)
Previous installations: Ten 52-inch monitors
One media player for synchronized playback
Duration: 17:59 min.
Sound: Multi channel sound system
Edition 1/5 + 2 AP
Galerie Barbara Thumm \ Theo Eshetu \ Veiled Woman on a Beachfront (2011)

Theo Eshetu

Veiled Woman on a Beachfront (2011)
Video installation
Variable sizes and display (various configurations)
1 Media player and sound
Duration: 18:00 min.
Edition 1/5 + 2 AP
Sound: Stereo. Composition by Morton Feldman
Galerie Barbara Thumm \ Theo Eshetu \ View from Bar Olympia

Theo Eshetu

View from Bar Olympia
from the series: The Lamu Project
Video installation
Proposal: two monitors
Sound: stereo
Edition 1/5 + 2 AP

Gallery Exhibitions

External Exhibitions