Exploring Identity and Heritage through Art: A Conversation with Meron Engida

Embrace the journey with 'The Truth in This Art' podcast, hosted by none other than Rob Lee. Today our guest is Meron Engida, an accomplished painter hailing from Ethiopia and now based in Washington, DC, who uses her vivid and emotive tableaus as a means of delving into her personal experiences and Ethiopian cultural heritage. Employing the mark-making process with an inspired trust, Engida crafts a visually captivating vocabulary that draws upon the hues and narratives of ancient Ethiopian art. In her work, the convergence of abstraction and figuration takes center stage, spotlighting expressive figures that collectively narrate stories of empowerment, resilience, and vulnerability. Engida's layered compositions, intertwining tones, symbols, and motifs, serve as poignant scenes that spark dialogues encompassing diversity and women's perspectives. Her latest series casts a spotlight on the profound impacts of war and climate change on the lives of women and children within the ongoing Ethiopian War, employing acrylic and oil pigments punctuated with symbolic dots denoting water, earth, and teff grain. A showcase piece, "Teff teffa," masterfully reflects the dwindling accessibility of teff, a staple grain vital to Ethiopian identity, echoing the influence of conflict, drought, and global dynamics. Engida's artistic journey, rooted in her early passion for art nurtured through an art training school and the Adisawa University of Fine Arts, emerges as a vivid tapestry that weaves her personal experiences and societal reflections, shedding light on themes of identity and cultural heritage.

Celebrating 12 years of placing exceptional contemporary art in global private and public collections.

Founded in 2010 in Washington, DC by curator Amy Morton, Morton Fine Art (MFA) is a fine art gallery and curatorial group that collaborates with art collectors and visual artists to inspire fresh ways of acquiring contemporary art. Firmly committed to the belief that art collecting can be cultivated through an educational stance, MFA's mission is to provide accessibility to museum-quality contemporary art through a combination of substantive exhibitions and a welcoming platform for dialogue and exchange of original voice. Morton Fine Art specializes in a stellar roster of nationally and internationally renowned artists as well as has an additional focus on artwork of the African Diaspora. 

Morton Fine Art founded the trademark *a pop-up project in 2010. *a pop-up project is MFA's mobile gallery component which hosts temporary curated exhibitions nationally.

In this edition:

• Delve into the captivating world of Meron Engida, an artist who uses her vivid tableaus as a canvas for navigating personal experiences and Ethiopian cultural identity, igniting a dialogue about the power of art in storytelling.
• Join us in uncovering the artistic journey of Meron Engida, from her early days of drawing to her formal education at the Adisawa University of Fine Arts, as we explore how her passion for art has evolved and shaped her expressive voice.
• Tune in for an insightful discussion on how Meron Engida's paintings serve as a powerful reflection of personal experiences and societal issues, delving into her exploration of identity and cultural heritage through her vibrant and socially relevant works.
• Immerse yourself in a conversation about Meron Engida's artistic influences, as she draws inspiration from Ethiopian ancient church art to weave captivating narratives using bold colors and expressive figures, infusing her work with a unique cultural resonance.
• Embark on an exploration of Meron Engida's artistic impact, as her works make their mark in group exhibitions while continuing to provoke thought and inspire conversations about personal experiences and larger societal dynamics, inviting reflection on the interplay between art and social relevance.

Tune in and be amazed as Meron shares how she began drawing at a young age and pursued her passion for art by attending an art training school and studying at the Adisawa University of Fine Arts. Meron's paintings reflect her personal experiences and social issues, often addressing themes of identity and cultural heritage. She finds inspiration in Ethiopian ancient church art and aims to tell stories through her bold colors and expressive figures. Meron's work has been exhibited in group exhibitions, and she continues to create art that is both personal and socially relevant.


Mentioned in this episode
Morton Fine Art


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This program is supported (in part) by a grant from the Robert W. Deutsch Foundation.

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Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard.

Episode illustration by Alley Kid Art.

About "The Truth In This Art"

"The Truth In This Art," hosted by Rob Lee, is a podcast that explores the essence of creativity and its community impact, amplifying artists' voices and their profound stories.

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Creators & Guests

Host

Rob Lee

The Truth In This Art is an interview series featuring artists, entrepreneurs and tastemakers in & around Baltimore.

Guest

Meron Engida Hawke

Meron Engida, an accomplished painter hailing from Ethiopia and now based in Washington, DC.

What is Truth In This Art Podcast - Your Source for Conversations with Artists, Innovators, Creatives & Cultural Leaders?

Hosted by Rob Lee, the 'Truth In This Art Podcast' delves into the transformative power of art, featuring engaging conversations with artists and cultural leaders from Baltimore and beyond. Explore how art influences society and personal growth, making it a must-listen for artists, creatives, and art lovers seeking insightful conversations and fresh perspectives.