Tezeta:
tezeta (teh-zeh-tah): an Amharic word that roughly translates to memory, nostalgia, or longing
Through printmaking, mixed media, sound, and textiles, this body of work is an exploration of the physical and figurative aspects of “place.” On one hand, the word “place” refers to our built environment, choices of design, and our interactions with the physical world. On the other hand, it refers to a sense of belonging that is cultural and emotional–still deeply tied to the physical world, but able to exist without it through memory. I invite the viewer to step into the threshold separating “here and now” from”‘then and there.” This show is a reckoning of physical place, belonging, and identity and the systemic hindrances at play.
Physical spaces such as markets, homes, and schools are where most of our memories are made, and the physicality of a space is significant in shaping our upbringing. I am deeply influenced and inspired by the colors, textures, and sounds that surrounded me during my childhood in Ethiopia.
When I came to the U.S. from Addis Ababa as a teenager, I found myself existing in a liminal space. I longed for the outdoor markets, casual coffee gatherings, and kids kicking soccer balls on narrow streets. This was where my sense of place rested and suddenly it was nowhere to be found. I had to completely reframe my understanding of place. By acknowledging the importance of place in shaping our identity, I explore what happens when we are separated from our places by distance and time.
