Artist bio - updated 19/08/2024
Website / Paintings and essays:
www.mulugetatafesse.com ; instagram @mulugetatafesse ;
Art theory and research:
www.academia.edu (authors/Mulugeta Tafesse)
www.Africanah.org (authors/Mulugeta Tafesse)
1960 - Born in Hawzen, Ethiopia (ET)
1976-80 - Followed the Fine Arts School of Addis Ababa, Addis Ababa (ET)
1980-82 - Taught painting, Fine Arts School, later the School of Arts and Design, Addis Ababa University (ET)
1982-89 - Higher Institute of Fine Arts, (Nikolai Pavlovich Fine Arts Academy), M.A., Sofia (BG)
1992-95 - National Higher Institute for Fine Arts, postgraduate degree, Antwerp (BE).
- Guest lecturer at Fine Arts School, Addis Ababa (ET)
- Lectured at Alliance Française, Addis Ababa (ET)
1996-98 - Followed workshops, admitted for PhD courses, La Laguna University, Tenerife (ES)
19998 - Guest lecturer at Higher Institute for Fine Arts, Antwerp (BE)
1999 - Led workshop and lectured at the School of Arts and Design, Addis Ababa University (ET)
2001 - Guest lecturer at Hasselt Visual Arts Academy (BE)
2002 - Presented paper, “African Photography, Masquerade: The Photo Salons of African Popular Photography”, Maastricht Visual Arts Academy,
ESHPh symposium, Maastricht (NL)
- Presented paper, “African Photography, Masquerade: The Photo Salons of African Popular Photography”, Goethe German Cultural Institute, Addis
Ababa, Ethiopia (ET)
- Presented paper, “African Modern/Contemporary Art”, Alliance Ethio-Française, Addis Ababa (ET)
2004 - Presented paper, “Courteous Confines, African Contemporary Photography: The Pull Between Ornament
and Figure”, Moderna Museet, ESHph Symposium, Stockholm (SE)
- Elzenveld Centre, exhibition organizer, Maagdenhuis Museum, Antwerp (BE)
2009-10 - Levanto, Antwerp (BE)
- Guest lecturer, School of Arts and Design, Addis Ababa University (ET)
2012 - On Initiative of establishing a collective, “Fast/Rewind” Netsa Art Village, City Green Park Addis (ET)
- PhD (Cum-Laude), La Laguna University, La Laguna, Tenerife: thesis theme, “Headways in the
Art of Mimesis: Inquiry into the Contemporary Visual Arts Repertoire of East Africa” (ES)
- African Union / Lela Art Gallery, group exhibition, “Face 2 Face, Addis Ababa BOZAR” (ET)
2014 - Residencias Artistìcas por Intercambio y Proyecto TRUEQUE, R.A.T., Mexico City, Acapulco (MX)
2016 - Lecturer in 1980-82, frequently guest lecturer in 1996-2014 at Ale School of Art and Design, AAU (ET)
- Video talk "Imagine Europe: In Search of New Narratives”, BOZAR (BE)
- Introduction on Ethiopian Cinema, "Dfret", MDD Museum Dhondt-Dhaenens, Deurle (BE)
- Volunteer at Kunst Fabriek / Das Kunst, 2012-17 Ghent/Flanders (BE)
2017- 24 - volunteering work at SMAK, Gent (BE)
2018 - Paper presentation, and panelist, Mekelle University, ICES20: 20th International Conference of Ethiopian Studies, 30/09 - 07/ 10/ 2018, Mekelle (ET)
2020 - Artist in Residence, Frans Masereel Centrum, a Frans Masereel Center, NICC and Ecole Mondiale project, Kasterlee (BE)
2021 - participation at a forum on MUHKA’s plans, Museum of Contemporary Art Antwerp, webinar (BE)
2021 - participation at a forum Kunsten Punt, a meeting about its prospects, Brussels (BE)
2023. - Lecture at Entoto Poly Technic College, Fine Arts Department, Addis Ababa (ET)
2023. - Lecture at the Modern Art Museum, Gebre Kristos Desta Center, “On Painting Now” Addis Ababa (ET)
Group Exhibition
1989 - ‘Small Format Paintings’, the Union of Bulgarian Artists, Sliven, (catalog), (BG)
‘Mezsdunaroden Pleinair’, Shiroka Leka, Smolian, (catalog), (BG)
1995 - ‘De Sokkel Van David Teniers’, Elzenfield Cultural Centre, Antwerp (BE)
1996 - ‘AEthiopia: People, Culture and Art’, African Museum, Tervuren, Brussels, (catalog), (BE)
1997 - ‘African Wind’, De Vierkante Zaal, with Toma Luntumbue, Aimé Ntakiyicka, (…) St. Niklaas (BE)
1999 - ‘Faith, Hope and Love’, the II Millennium - De Warande, Turnhout, with Marie-Jo Lafontaine, Ricardo Brey, Zhou Shanglie, Stef Van Bellingen (curator), catalog (BE)
- ‘Print as Fiction’, with Guillaume Bijl, Ronny De Meyer, Bernd Lohaus, Martin Maloney, Werner Mannaers, Ulrich Meister, Luc Tuymans, Philippe
Vandenberg, Henk Visch, Daele, Antwerp (Catalogue - limited edition), (BE)
2001 -‘Dessins Chosir’ Addis Ababa, Paris, (catalog), (FR)
- De Branderij, Antwerp (BE)
- Jour-fixe, finissage: Ethiopië-rapport, (Lieve Lambrecht, Chris Straetling, Ria Paquee, Tewodros Hagos, Nebiat Abebe, Dimension Group), - Dialogist
Kantor & Walter Swennen, Factor 44, Antwerp (BE)
2002 - Dakar Biennale, DAKART (catalog), (SN)
2003 - Villinus Triennale, ‘23 sins - Artists book’ (catalog), (LT)
- ‘Yemechereshaw Qeeld', Factor 44, by Mulugeta Tafesse with Guy Rombouts, Mirabelle Wouters, Daisy Wouters, Arjen Nelis, Harry Heirmans, Chris
Straetling, Factor 44 Antwerp (theatre manuscript), (BE)
2004 - Book presentation/show Mulugeta Tafesse, Factor 44, introduction, Stef van Bellingen; video, Chris Straetling, Antwerp (BE)
- Montigny – Dakart, Montigny Charlerois (BE)
- Eclipse, Bornem, Puurs and Willebroek Cultural Centres, Stef Van Bellingen - curator, (catalog), (BE)
2005 - Espace Berthelot - Salle E.Locard, Exposition Peintures/Sculptures, with Mickaël Bethe-Selassie, Suzy Techane, Tewodros Tsige,
Lyon (FR)
- Boulevard Amandla – La Piscine d’activité and Afrikaans Cultureel collectief, De Coninck Plein, and the Permeke Library (hosts), expo-route 2005, an artistic meeting of two continents: Guillaume Bijl, Ria Pacquée, Marc Jambers, Moïse Kohen, Yobo Moseka, Sven T’ Jolle, N. Zakarias, Stefan Seghers, Wendy Morris, Ludo Mich, Renate Els Aerts, Youssou Tall, El Hadji Deiokhan, Souleye Diane, Jan Vandenhoeck, Ludo Renders, Etiye Dimma Poulsen, Antwerp (BE)
2006 - Boulevard Amandla, Permeke City Library (20 African and Belgian artists) Antwerp (BE)
2007 - ‘African Millenium 2007’ Boulevard Amandla, Intercultural art project: Abiye, Daniel Tasew, Shewhareg Sinke, Alexander Dax, Behailu Bezabih, Ben
Vanden Berghe Deux Ailles, El Loko, Guy Rombouts, Heinrich Obst, Kodjo Degbey, Ludo Renders, Marc Jambers, Marc Schepers, Naïma Moldenhauer,
Phil Wauters, Raymond Dakoua, Ria Pacquée, Stefan Seghers, Vaast Colson, (….), Antwerp (BE)
2008 - ‘Ecouter et Entendre’, with Toma Luntumbue, Hassan Musa, Ola-Dele Kuku, Carlos Amorim Lemos, Otobong Nkanga, Aimé Ntakiyicka, Pélagie
Gbaguidi, Dunja Hersac (Curator), Gallery Kevin Conru, Grand Sablon, Brussels (catalog), (BE)
- ‘Art Reflecting The World’, Cligendael, Netherlands Institute of International Relations, with Antonio Joseph Beuys - de, Antonio Claudio Carvahlo - br,
Cornford & Cross - uk, Hubert Czerpok - pl, Ronny Delrue - be, Hadasah Emmerisch - in/nl, Ingrid Rollema - nl, Jose Angel Toirac - cu, Zhou Xiaohu - cn
Stef Van Bellingen (Curator), (NL)
2009 - Amandla, City Library (with African and Belgian artists) Antwerp, (BE)
- East African Biennial, (unmasking) les Demoiselles des Avignon, with Ricardo Brey, Pierre Mertens, Willo Gonnissen, Yves Goscinny (curator), Dar Es
Salam, (catalog), (TZ)
- ‘Sport: Fait(es) Divers’, Karin Borghouts, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Sim cha Chi, Axel Claes, Leen Derks, Harold E. Edgerton, Hans Peter Feldmann, Jef Geys, Jacques-Henri Lartique, Guy Mees, Gaston Meskens, Edward Muybridge, Hans Op de Beeck, August Sander, Marc Schepers, Walter Swennen, Henk Visch, Phil Wauters (…), Mechelen, (curator) Marc Scheppers (BE)
2010 - BOLERO - Pierre Martens, Frank JMA Castelyns, Willo Gonnisen, Mulugeta Tafesse; Antwerp, Kronenburg straat 34-8; Laphto Art Gallery, (curator)
Leo Lefort, Addis Ababa (ET)
- Amandla, with Freddy Tsimba, Etiye Dima Poulsen, Marc Jambers, Karolien Hammers, Wilfried Pas, Nadia Naveau, Nicolas Baeyens, (…) Atlas, Antwerp (BE)
- Kunsten Route Euro Park, Linkeroever, Europa: with Frederik Beyens, be; Renaat Braem, be; Marco Jacobs, be; Leo Reijnders, be; Philip Aguirre, be; Jan Royens, be; Marc Schepers, be; Dirk Vermeirre, be; Rita Vanhee, be; Phil Wauters, be; Willy De Wachter, be; Jos Budel, nl; Mieke Dom, be; Leen Dercks, be; Filip Verreyke, be; Africa: Kodjo Degby, tg; Nathalie Gauvin, mg; Asia: Sim Cha Chi, kr; Yan Shu Fen, cn; Yani Moho Isha, Iq; Groups: Filip Verreyke’s students: Ken Verhoeven, Denie Put, Sohnia Hashimi; Michel Wyns; Lien Geleyn en KIDS, Linkeroever: Doe Mee Atelier: gebruikers dienstencentrum (BE)
- Impetus, Behailu Bezabih, Bekele Mekonnen, Tewodros Hagos, Eyob Kitaba, Mulugeta Tafesse, Tamrat Gezahegne, Klaus Martens, Dawit Petros and Aida Muluneh (Addis Foto Fest), Atelier Fine Arts Gallery, Leo Lefort - curator, Addis Ababa (ET)
2011 - “Neo Escape”, with Michael Tsegaye, Carlos Marine, Hana Yilma, Claus Martens, Antonio Fironte, Ezra Wube, Atelier Fine Arts Gallery, Mexico Sq.,
Leo Lefort - curator, Addis Ababa, (ET)
2012 - Manifesta 9 Parallel Events, Genk Public Library, with ArtBolero group, Genk (BE)
- “Face 2 Face”, A Bozar initiative in Addis, (touring show, conceived by David Adjaye, Leo Lefort (curator), (ET)
- Lela Gallery, Addis Ababa, Leo Lefort (curator), (ET)
2013 - “Celebrating Pan Africanism Through Artistic Expression”, Ethiopian Studies, Addis Ababa University Commemorating 50th Anniversary of AU, Desta
Megoo (Dr. curator), (ET)
- Leaving for a living, expo, Art & Advice Gallery, Stevoort Hasselt (BE)
2014 - Second Room, Central Station, Antwerp (BE)
- Open Studios, 2nd Edition, with Studio Start and NICC, Deurne (BE)
2015 - BOLERO, Torun / Balibaba Sokak, No. 52, Küçükesat, Ankara (TR)
2015 - BOLERO, Ponta d’Praia Gallery, Rua de Praia, Mindelo, IIha de São Vicente, Capo Verde (CV)
- B.A.D. Belgium Art and Design, Ghent Art Fair (BE)
2016 - Open Studios, NICC/Studio Start, Antwerp (BE)
- BOLERO, KIOSK, Place des Augustins, Geneva (CH)
2017 - BOLERO, EOS Gallery, 38 Cheiden, Victoria, Square, Athens (GR)
2018 - “Funny, How Art Makes You Wander” Morbee Gallery, Mulugeta Tafesse, Johan Tahon, Karin Hanssen, Waldrada ONzea, Ina Leys, Nel Bonte, Inge
De Smedt, Waldrada ONzea, (curator) Knokke (BE)
2019 - “FOMA”, Art and Advice, Groupshow, Genk (BE)
2020 - “des - works on paper”, 1 Jun - 31 Jul 2020, Agencia Transitos Culturales, Tenerife (ES)
2021 - Bolero Art Group 10th anniversary, Rouen, Edith Doove (curator), (FR)
2022 - WARP – Contemporary Art Platform, Vier Maal Vier – 16 Jaar, (Curator, Stef Van Bellingen), St. Niklaas, (BE)
2022 - “Unsettled”, Duende Art Projects, Zwartzussenstraat 25, Antwerp (Curator, Bruno Claessen), (BE)
2022 - Bolero, Two Opening Events; respectively in Kyiv, and in Kassel off-Documenta 15, (Curators, Anna Laganovska, Alexandra
Tryanova, Jürgen Olbrich), UA-DE
2022 - EX(P)ODUS, Exhibition with immigrant artists, Hofke Van Chantraine, Oude – Turnhout, (BE)
2023 - “Strange Fruits”, Group of 8 artists, FAAR Hertstraat 5, Deurne (Curator, Wouter Van de Loot) (BE)
2023 - “Beyond FAAR”, Group of 65 artists, FAAR, Hertstraat 5, Deurne (Curator, Bart Vanderbiesen) (BE)
2024 - Knokke Art Fair, Section - Contemporary Art, MPC Art & NFT Gallery Turnhout, Knokke (BE)
2024 - Art for humanitarian deeds, foodies & art, Het Bos, a platform of different genres and artforms (BE)
Individual exhibition
1980 - Alliance Française, with Yonas Kenea and Mezgebu Tessema, painting and graphic art, Addis (ET)
1982 - ‘City Hall Gallery’, Addis Ababa City Council Hall (ET)
1989 - ‘Gallery Sredets’, Ministry of Culture Sofia, (BG)
1994 - ‘Piquant Anecdotes’, Gallery Tragt, St. Niklaas, with Jacques Neve (BE)
-‘Stolen Light’ Beelden Gallery, Antwerpen, (catalog), (BE)
-VUB Gallery, Vrij Universiteit Brussels, Brussels (BE)
1996 - ‘Open Hands’ St. Bernardus Cultural Center, Antwerp (BE)
1996 - Alliance Française, Addis (ET)
1996 - Alliance Française, Addis (ET)
2001 - De Branderij, Bleekhof Straat, Antwerp (BE)
2003 - Art & Advice Gallery, Hasselt (BE)
2003 - ‘Back Bencher’, Alliance Française (ET)
2003 - Arte Coppo, Vervier, Liege, with A. Peron (BE)
2005 - Anka Humma, Brussels (BE)
- St. Joris Pand, Antwerp (BE)
2006 - Gallery 23, assisted by Felix de Rooy, Frank Händler and Diana Elshout, Amsterdam (NL)
