About
Mekdes W Shebeta is a multidisciplinary artist exploring universal experiences through visual metaphors and the language of those who never reach their destination. Her work delves into themes of ancient wisdom, alternative communication, and surviving migration, layered with biographical material to convey a never-ending journey. Shebeta's unique storytelling transcends traditional documentary formats, with a focus on creating unexpected settings for storytelling within an artistic context. Through her installations and site-specific projects, she embraces eco-friendly techniques and handcrafted materials combined with contemporary design, often exploring ideas of comfort and inclusivity within traditional architecture. Her interactive performances and installations foster community involvement, inviting reflection and connection.
Shebeta has exhibited her works in solo and group exhibitions in Ethiopia, Kenya, Dresden, Norway, Finland, and Sweden, impacting the communities she engages with. Currently, she is working on new artwork, "Tseteta," which will be presented in upcoming solo and collaborative exhibitions in Addis Ababa, Nairobi, Bergen, and Oslo in 2025 and 2026. Her commitment to creating spaces for organic discussions and storytelling using traditional eco-friendly techniques continues to shape her artistic practice
CV
EDUCATION
- 2014-2016: Master of Fine Art, Bergen Academy of Art and Design, Bergen, Norway
- 2011-2014: Bachelor of Fine Art, Bergen Academy of Art and Design, Bergen, Norway
- 2009-2011: Visual Art, Einar Granum School of Fine Art, Oslo, Norway
- 1994-1995: Interior Design, Creative Art Centre College, Nairobi, Kenya
- 1984-1988: Fine Arts and Design, All School of Fine Art and Design, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
PERMANENT COLLECTIONS
- 2019: “Shengo” Public art permanent installation, Storetveit Kindergarten, Bergen Kommune
- 2018: “Lillekurvhuset” Public art permanent installation, Vadmyra Kindergarten, Bergen Kommune
- 2017: “To the Yellow” Sketch work, EPHEMERALITY collection for KMD Bergen, curated by KORO
ARTIST IN RESIDENCE
- 2023: S12, Bergen, Norway - Glass work for Tseteta installation
- 2022: Ke-Mender.project, Sound recording, Yergalem, Ethiopia
- 2021: Ke-Mender.project ,Dialog meetings with artisans at Taxfade and Makerere university of Fine Art and Design, and metal work workshop at Tim Kampala Uganda
- 2019: Patching Up at Agena Garage Land and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - Organized and curated by Mekdes W. Shebeta with Michell Devon. Involved five international artists collaborating with Ethiopian artists, artisans, and students from the University of Fine Art and Design, Addis Ababa. Workshops in several countryside locations, culminating in the On Movement exhibition at Guramayne.
COLLABORATIONS & WORKSHOPS
- 2023: Agena, Cultuur Room/Workshop at Elfus Compound, Agena, Ethiopia
- 2021: Blue Song, recording with Mena Werede at Kasmas Music Studio,
- 2017-2019: Agena, Artisan workshops in Agena, Garage Land, Ethiopia
- 2017-2019: All University of Fine Art and Design, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- 2018: Bemehal - Imellom, Collaborative creative children and youth activity, Bergen
- 2017-2019: Hulu Studios artist group, Ethiopia and Norway
- 2015: Soups & Stories (dialogue-based art)
- 2014: BAff Festival, Bergen, Norway
- 2014: Radio Hopes and Dreams (RAHD), Bergen, Norway
- 2013: Amanuel Fath, Organization, Kayole, Nairobi, Kenya
CURATING & PROJECT MANAGEMENT
- 2020-Project Manager: Ke-Mender Project - Architectural design, product design, socially engaged art
- 2019: Project leder, for Patching-Up Project organised Workshop, seminar presentation that includes artisans artist and art student from Ethiopia and Norway -
- 2019: Curator, on Movement group exhibition, Guramayele art Centre Addis Ababa
- 2016: W-Room,Social activities space for women residents in Landås Akuttmottak, Bergen
- 2014: Curator, Purple (Group Exhibition at Biks), Bergen, Norway
- 2014: Project Manager, Kijiji Project, Kenya/Bergen, Norway
- 2005: Director and Designer, Performance Fashion Show, Adama/Shashemene, Ethiopia
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
2024
- “Chereca” Interactive performance with object installation and text excerpts from “The Triple Stones.” Husmansplassen Stein, Den djupere tida, Oslofjord Triennale 2024.
2022
- “Circle”: Installation including video stop-motion, audio texts, and paintings. Presented at Gyldenpris Kunsthall, Bergen.
2021
- “New Blue”: Installation incorporating text, song, and chanting. Presented at HKS Hordaland Kunstsenter, Bergen.
- “Nebs Yemar”: “Nebs Yemar”: Performances at Sofienbergparken & Deichmann, and “Ferrell Kelkelyos” text-based video. Utenfor tid, utenfor sted, Oslo..
2019
- “Drop to Fetch”: Performance installation as part of Winter Solstice night installation/performance at KORO Loftet, Oslo.
- “Connecting Juster”: Interactive performance using water and food, including presentations and dialogue meetings at Monk Felesatliyer, Bergen.
- “So What”: Three-day group performance, streamed and performed at USF, Bergen.
- “Drop to Fetch”:“Drop to Fetch”: Movement exhibition, Patching Up project, Guramayne Art Center, Addis Ababa
- “Daughter of Farmers”: Movement exhibition, Patching Up project, Guramayne Art Center, Addis Ababa.
2018
- “I Have a Cow That I Don’t See the Milk”: Video work as part of Radical Hospitality Winter Solstice Art Festival at Black Box Theatre, Oslo.
- “Drop to Fetch”: Part of Performance Art Festival, History Will Be Kind to Me for I Intend to Perform It, Bergen.
- “Drop to Fetch”: Part of New Performance Art Festival, History Will Be Kind to Me for I Intend to Perform It, Turku, Finland.
- “I Have a Cow on the Sky That I Don’t See the Milk”: Part of The Only Way Is Up, Group Show, Konsthall Varberg, Sweden.
- “I Have a Cow on the Sky That I Don’t See the Milk”: Part of Radical Hospitality, Group Show, Black Box Theatre, Oslo.
2017
- “The Pearl”: Interactive performance and video as part of After School Special, One Night Show, Landmark, Bergen.
2016
- “I Have a Cow on the Sky That I Don’t See the Milk”: Part of Grenseløs Globaliseringskonferansen, Oslo.
- “I Have a Cow on the Sky That I Don’t See the Milk”: Part of Europe Under Construction, Kunsthaus, Dresden, Germany.
- “I Have a Cow on the Sky That I Don’t See the Milk”: Video work as part of The Only Way Is Up, Kunsthall Stavanger.
- “I Have a Cow on the Sky That I Don’t See the Milk”: Installation performance including video documentary as part of HEX: Master Group Exhibition at Kunsthallen, Bergen.
2015
- “Daughter of Farmers”: Installation with text and voice-over as part of Masters Exhibition: C Sundaes (KHiB), Bergen.
2014
- Kijiji Project: Outdoor performative and interactive art in public space, Fistenplass, Bergen.
- Video Streaming: Part of group activities for Pixel, Bergen.
- “Purple”: Performance group show curated and directed by Mekdes W. Shebeta, Engburg Show, BIKS, Bergen.
- Kijiji Installation: Voice-over and video as part of Sectioning Experience: Bachelor Exhibition, Bergen Kjøtt, Bergen.
2012
- Kijiji Project: Interactive installation at C. Sundtsgate 53, solo show, Bergen.
2005
- Teba: Solo exhibition at Safari Lodge, paintings and workshops, Adama, Ethiopia.
2001
- African Refugees in Art: Paintings, group show organized by me, British Council, Nairobi, Kenya.
2000
“Might and Reality“: Painting group show Nairobi Museum of Art, Nairobi, Kenya