Eyayu Genet Shitu (M.F.A.) is a distinguished Ethiopian contemporary artist celebrated for his vibrant and abstract artworks that seamlessly blend traditional Ethiopian art with modern motifs. Born in Durbete, Ethiopia, approximately 470 kilometers north of Addis Ababa, Eyayu pursued his primary and secondary education in Bahir Dar. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from Bahir Dar University in 2007. In the same year, he enrolled at Addis Ababa University's Alle School of Fine Arts and Design, where he completed his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting with great distinction in 2011. Eyayu furthered his academic pursuits by obtaining a Master's degree from the same institution in 2018.

Eyayu's artistic journey is characterized by a deep exploration of cultural identity, heritage, and the complexities of life. His work spans various mediums, including painting, collage, and monumental installations. He is renowned for his bold use of colors and abstract forms, often incorporating Ethiopian spiritual symbolism and iconography from traditional church art, which he fuses with contemporary and modernist techniques. This fusion allows his art to resonate with both local and global audiences.

The themes in Eyayu's art frequently address societal issues such as urbanization, economic inequality, and cultural identity. He explores the tension between Ethiopia’s historical legacy and its evolving modern reality, reflecting on the country’s journey from rural traditions to urban development. His work emphasizes contrasts, such as tradition versus modernity or organic versus artificial, illustrating his interest in complementary and opposing ideas. Series like "Sugypia" delve into the dynamics of community, family, and spirituality.

Eyayu's contributions to contemporary African art have garnered international recognition. His work has been exhibited across the globe, including in the USA, Sweden, Switzerland, Ecuador, Uganda, Qatar, and Paris. In Ethiopia, he has showcased his pieces at major platforms like the National Museum, Alliance Ethio-Française, Goethe Institute, and Guramayne Art Center. His work is also part of the permanent collection at the Ethiopian National Museum.

In recent years, Eyayu has focused on highlighting indigenous African (Ethiopian) art and aesthetics, bringing traditional practices and objects from his birthplace into contemporary spaces. He advocates for the role of art in addressing social issues, using his creativity to contribute to causes such as environmental protection, diplomacy, and art therapy. His dedication to art and social causes has earned him numerous accolades, including a lifetime achievement medal from the Ethiopian Ministry of Culture and Tourism in 2021. He also received the Tana Social Media Award for promoting peace and love across Ethiopia through social media. Eyayu's artist residencies include the Nagenda International Academy of Art and Design in Uganda (2019), the Qatar International Art Festival (2019), and the 5th Zervas, UNESCO of Achaia International Art Festival (2020). He currently participated in a transformative art project of Mile 46 art for change (2024).

In addition to his artistic career, Eyayu is involved in humanitarian and social projects, striving to make Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, an alternative hub for the arts outside of Addis Ababa. He currently serves as a lecturer at Bahir Dar University and operates his own studio in the city, continuing to inspire and shape the next generation of Ethiopian artists.

Through his innovative approach and dedication, Eyayu Genet continues to make significant contributions to the Ethiopian art scene and beyond, fostering a deeper understanding of cultural identity and societal issues through his compelling artworks.

Email: yonasgetnet@gmail.com 

           eyayu.getnet@bdu.edu.et 

Tel: +251 98 462 4836

Research Publication(s), Proceeding(s) and related academic publications

▪           Co-author and illustrator  of a children book  entitled “our life is on the lake” https://www.amazon.com/Our-Life-Lake-Amharic-English/dp/B09P1VT9TQ

▪           An illustration of “surprise on lake Tana” https://www.amazon.com/Surprise-Lake-Tana-Ethiopian-Adventure/dp/B0B8R6TZPK

▪           An illustrator of “Head in the stars “ https://www.amazon.com/Head-Stars-Little-Somali-English/dp/B0BD2XPKL8

▪           An illustration  of “Head in the stars “ https://www.amazon.com/Head-Stars-Little-Somali-English/dp/B0BD2XPKL8

▪            “Stubborn: An Adventure at Blue Nile Falls “ https://www.amazon.com/Stubborn-Adventure-Falls-English-Somali/dp/B0BCRX775G

▪           An illustration of “sign to Me” https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56761031-sign-to-me

▪           An illustration of “Can I Play“ https://www.amazon.com/Can-Play-Inclusion-Everyone-English/dp/B0D45P1Q5V

▪           An Illustrator of the national students book Grade 3 and 4 English text book Grade3: https://learnenglish.moe.gov.et/storage/English%20Textbook/3.%20G3%20English%20SB%20Final%20%20April%2018,%202022.pdf

▪           An Illustrator of the national students book Grade4: https://learn-english.moe.gov.et/storage/English%20Textbook/4.%20G4%20English%20SB%20Final%20April%2018,%2020222%20(1).pdf

▪           An Illustrator of the national students book Health and Physical Education Grade 5: https://www.anrseb.gov.et/httpdocs/wp-content/uploads/New_Text_Books/Grade5/Grade%205_HPE_Textbook.pdf

▪           An Illustrator of the national students book Health and Physical Education Grade 7:  https://www.anrseb.gov.et/httpdocs/wp-content/uploads/New_Text_Books/Grade7/Grade%207_HPE_Textbook.pdf

Exhibitions and Media coverage 

▪           October 2024. Performative art Exhibition, Mile 46 , Kenya https://systemagazine.wordpress.com/2024/09/21/in-conversation-with-eyayu-genet/

▪           Feb 12-28,2018. Group Exhibition at Kalmar Konstmuseeum, Sweden. https://www.kalm.arkonstmuseum.se/en/exhibition/you-have-two-cows/

 ▪          Get a big coverage at Time Less magazine  https://artsdiscourse.blogspot.com/

▪           Talk on the role of art in crating the environmental consciousness, University of Oxford https://talks.ox.ac.uk/talks/persons/id/6aa6d2b2-b45d-441c-9ea7-ac4ff1124a24

▪           May 3, 201    Public lecture and live art show at Barick museum hall of university of Nevada, LasVegas, USA. file:///C:/Users/E/Downloads/Telegram%20Desktop/University%20Forum%20Sp%202016%20Brochure.pdf  https://www.facebook.com/share/19yYnaLyJz/?mibextid=wwXIfr

▪           Art coverage at Global art times magazine https://globalarttimes.com/downloads.php?edition=January-2025

▪           July 15, 2019. Artist in residency in Uganda at Nagenda International Academy of Art  and Design4.  https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/199751569

▪           Participated at Qatar International art festival and Master class presentation https://issuu.com/artmosphere/docs/artmosphere_23_qatarhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdVR2Tq8o8E

▪           Participated at Zervas art festival at Paris International art fair .

▪           BBC interview : https://www.bbc.com/amharic/news-57720800

▪           CGTN Interview https://www.facebook.com/Utopia251/videos/cow-hides-to-create-masterpieces/394814221283989/

▪           EBS : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hrQ9fPVA1

▪           EBC: https://youtu.be/_Vj6a_oMPKQ?si=FTDvhXMepqKSvCHh

▪           All African .Com  https://allafrica.com/stories/201511092018.html

▪           AMICO https://youtu.be/_Vj6a_oMPKQ?si=FTDvhXMepqKSvCHh

▪           InfoNile  https://infonile.org/en/2021/03/sugypia-by-eyayu-genet-art-for-the-nile/

▪           http://ethiopiart.com/About.html 

▪           https://directcoffee.net/en/eyayu-genet-2/

▪           https://www.diretube.com/tags/painter-eyayu-genet/

▪           http://newsvideo.su/video/8496825