Tekie Russom

                                                                     Artist statement

     My name TEKIE RUSSOM BORN AND raised ERITREA ASMARA (east Africa) .it was under unusual circumstance that realized my life time dream of becoming a painter .At July 27,2005,I had settled in refugee camp after braving a dangerous journey from ERITREA to ETHIOPIA ,much of it on foot and under threat of worse .i roughly 6,000 other ERITREAN refugee in the camp weren’t allowed to work ,and so my family back home would send money to buy art supplies on sanctioned outing outside the camp .In the refugee camp could take a chance because we didn’t have opportunity to work so I started to paint.

   I was born in ASMARA .At age 18,I was in national service in country military ,becoming a medic on the the ground in the border conflict with Ethiopia .like all male ERITERA citizens was required to serve for indefinite period ,a system that’s drawn international criticism since its introduction in 1998.

    As the year passed, I became more and more concerned that wouldn’t be able to leave his dangerous post on the front lines. After eight years ,he decided to escape risking prison or death .i was in it for eight years ,so that was really hard ,my entire life was really hard .we couldn’t get an opportunity to go to school, and it’s very dangerous –there’s almost no way you survive .

     Life in the refugee camp was bitter ,I was supplied necessities ,and I spent my days painting .even showcasing my work in an exhibit in Ethiopia .after five years in the camp was cleared for resettlement in united states .last august I became a us citizen.

   Several ,symbol recur in my  impressionistic art work, done in acrylic and latex .umbrellas and rain feature often ,representing the protection and security’s sought in my life .i also paint a lot of boats .which stand in for life journey’s made both physical and emotional .”I have something inside which I want to paint some idea ,some feeling inside and t try explain my idea and my thought inside my heart .All my painting are ultimately inspiration of love and peace .

     Thank you.