The alternating glowing and fading colors distinguish his paintings with a visual steadiness that engages the viewer in an investigation of a fundamental African aesthetic. Inspired by the cultural heritage of the people of Ethiopia, native landscapes and his own experiences in society the artist uncovers his country’s legacy. The combined oil and textiles on the surface of the canvas engage in an intense dialogue of substances, and each hue interacts with the other to form a sense of harmony. Kunbi creates his paintings using color as the vocabulary of his vision, reconciling together the richness of hues and the straightness of forms. The geometric structure of the paintings reflects the Ethiopian textiles used in religious ceremonies.The artist claims that the process of painting is for him a ritual as well as a struggle to regain a form of spirituality.
Tegene Kunbi studied fine Art at 2000-2004 Fine Arts School, University of Addis Abeba, 2007-2011 at the Universität der Künste Berlin, where he has been based since.
This year Tegene Kunbi was awarded the Léopold Sédar Senghor prize from the President of the Republic as part of his participation in the Dakar Biennale.
