Eyob MergiaAn Ethiopian born and raised painter, Eyob graduated from the Ethiopian Fine Arts Institute in Addis Ababa in 1993. He immigrated to Sioux Falls in 1997, where his work has flourished. Eyob participates in many exhibitions, appears in numerous publications, teaches and works with students, creates murals and is represented in private collections nation wide.As an artist, his inspirations come from many sources that include music, nature, books, and religion. These inspirations have a positive outlook and a potential to form changes in the art culture bringing awareness to the mystery surrounding art. Eyob’s medium is often a mixed media of oil paint, drawing, and watercolor. He enjoys playing with the composition and colors in his pieces, and believes composition is the basis of the essence and idea within them. In 2005, Eyob started a series of art work on the Ark of the Covenant with the goal of discovering the Ark of the Covenant through art. These projects have helped him experience the depth and width of ancient Ethiopian culture and religion as well as it’s diversity. Eyob also held an art exhibition on the history of American music - primarily Jazz and Blues, its culture, history, and evolution. It was a good opportunity for him to follow a new culture and a new style for the art. In May 2006, Eyob worked on a big project in collaboration with the Sioux Falls School District. It was called the Recreation of Unity and involved 210 students - from first graders to fifth graders - creating one complete painting. In 2007, Eyob created a large mural project for the students of Sioux Falls Christian High School. He created a new art technique by mixing collage, painting and design. Eyob is currently working with the idea of a 4th dimension in painting. He is incorporating it with the concept of human fossils using mathematical subjects which are being developed in his art to bring a sense of change and awareness to the community. Eyob stays busy teaching private art classes in his studio, creating paintings of different concepts & designs using national museum standard levels, working with charities, and donating art back to the community. “Art is my passion and apart of my identity. It is my spiritual guide!” View Galleries « BACK |