Artist Tsigab Berihu

Oil painting on Canvas

65 × 60 cm

Milen’s Story

“My name is Million Gebremichael. I am from a family of four, along with my parents Gebremichael and Almaz, and my sister Helen. Eggs, beet, pumpkin, Pasta, ፉል[full], ሕልበት [hilbet] are some of my favorite foods, where as collard greens and cabbage are not. My favorite game to play is jumping ropes. The reason I drew a flower is because I love flowers. My plan is to be rich, and I’m going to try and try! Thank you for making me laugh, I love you all.”

Art Statement

This young girl has a deep love for drawing flowers, but as an artist, I see her as the flower itself. Her art reflects the vibrant, beautiful, and positive world she carries within.The background features architectural elements of Humera, the town in West Tigray where she was born and raised. To emphasize her luminous presence, the town’s current insecurity and uncertainty are depicted in muted tones, creating a stark contrast to her vivid portrait. Flowers symbolize beauty, innocence, and renewal —qualities that resonate with her youthful energy. Though deeply connected to her hometown and determined to return, she appears undeterred by its challenges. Instead, she gazes toward a distant light of hope, much like a sunflower turning toward the rising sun. In its glow, she begins to shine, embodying resilience, optimism, and an unwavering spirit.

Artist Biography

Tsigab Berihu was born on June 6, 1987, in Zalambessa, Tigray, Ethiopia. He graduated with a BFA in Art Education from School of Fine Arts and Design, Addis Ababa University, in 2016. Tsigab has participated in numerous solo and group exhibitions, including at the Gallery of the Ethiopian National Museum, Oromo Cultural Center, Academy Gallery of School of Fine Arts and Design, and the US Embassy Lobby. In addition to his artistic practice, he offers creative workshops, art therapy sessions, and short training programs in Mekelle. Currently, Tsigab works as an art educator in Mekelle University’s Visual Arts Department and continues to create art in the city.