Fesseha

About the Artist

Fesseha Demessae is a self-taught artist formally trained in the fine arts, whose multidisciplinary practice spans drawing, sculpture, collage, photography, architecture, and design. Based in Maryland, USA, his work captures the cultural and ecological narratives shaping the African experience in the 21st century. Through projects such as the Lalibela Photographic Exhibition and the Sankofa Bird bronze sculpture, Demessae bridges heritage and modernity, celebrating the continuity of African symbolism through contemporary form. His leadership as Head of the Department of Design at Addis Ababa University and his lectures across Ethiopia, India, Brazil, Jamaica, and the United States reflect a global vision grounded in cultural authenticity. His works are represented in both museum collections and private collections worldwide, underscoring his broad artistic influence and intellectual reach. Demessae’s bronze sculptures, collages, and drawings confront social and spiritual themes through a refined aesthetic that merges historical reflection with modern expression. Pieces such as Diallo 1999, Don’t Shoot That Boy!, and Gray, 2015, challenge racial injustice and collective memory, while his recent new works in drawing, African Refugee Boat and Gaza Destructed #001, extend this conversation toward universal human rights and resilience. Recognized with major teaching awards from The Park School and Avenues São Paulo, Demessae’s work and pedagogy embody art’s enduring capacity to decode and reimagine the world—serving as both reflection and catalyst in a rapidly changing global landscape.