Tesfaye Urgessa to present 'Prejudice and Belonging' for Ethiopia at 60th Venice Biennale

Ethiopian artist Tesfaye Urgessa will showcase his work titled 'Prejudice and Belonging' at the 60th Venice Biennale, taking place at Palazzo Bollani from April 20 to November 24. His exhibition comprises large-scale oil paintings that explore themes of judgment and foreignness, presenting ambiguous images that invite reflection. Urgessa seeks to encourage viewers to examine their biases, finding the biennale’s theme 'Foreigners Everywhere' particularly pertinent to his art. He appreciates the event's distinctive format and extended timeline for artist visibility. His creations engage with social, racial, and political matters without focusing on specific demographics. Influences include Ethiopian traditional art, contemporary movements, and artists such as Lucian Freud and Bisrat Shibabaw. Additionally, he participated in an ArtReview questionnaire for pavilion artists.