It is always amazing to find some talented Eritreans wherever you travel around the world. I am about to wrap-up my trip to the Peoples Republic of China by the end of this month. In addition to getting the opportunity to experience the fascinating culture and development, I was also very lucky to meet with some very talented Eritreans in China. The following is a brief interview I did with Artist Martha Woldu, a mother and seasoned artist who has devoted most of her life to art.
Thank you for your time Martha; can you give us a brief background about yourself?
Ok, thank you. I was born in Sahel, Eritrea, during the armed struggle for independence, to my artist parents. My father is Woldu Afwerki, one of the greatest painters in Eritrea, who also was a teacher at the Eritrean School of Fine Arts. My mother, Tirhas Iyasu, who passed away in 2008, was also one of the pioneering female painters both during the armed struggle and after independence.
So how would you describe the way you grew up?
As I have said, having my childhood in Sahel had an amazing touch to it because I had the privilege to be around Eritrea’s greatest artists from the revolution period. In addition to my parents, I was lucky to be around big artists such as Berhane Adonai, Tesfai Gebremichael, Elsa Yacob, and many others during my toddler years. In fact, I have a vague memory of giving my first drawing to the prolific writer, Alemseghed Tesfai, when I was only three years old.
After independence, I studied at the Eritrean School of Fine Arts and also received some brief training by art teachers from China who used to cooperate with our school. Indeed, those were some of the defining moments for me to excel in art, particularly painting. During one fateful day, some Chinese art scholars came to my mother’s exhibition and discovered my work as well. That is how I received a scholarship from China to further pursue my talent and came here in 2003.
What did you specialize in after you came to China?
It was mainly painting and sculpture, but I have studied tattooing and jewelry making as well.
Currently, I’m running my own workshop called the Sip & Dip studio. We gave the name because the activities that we hold at the studio is accompanied by a beautiful traditional coffee ceremony, or a glass of wine. My visitors to the studio find it very relaxing and stress-free mind exercise.
Another unique thing in my studio is that I use lotus leaves for painting. Lotus is a beautiful large leaf for Lilly flowers, but I had to do a lot of research and persistent experiments to come up with the formula that would keep the leaves flexible, durable and ready for use as canvas. I do many of my paintings on the leaves and received a lot of encouraging feedback from my visitors, so I came up with the idea of preparing just the canvas leaves and some paints for my clients to paint whatever they want under some guidance from me and be a part of this wonderful experience. That’s why I opened the workshop, and it has been a success ever since.
But how did you come up with the idea of turning the leaves into canvas?
It is a form of art I saw in Thailand. I took interest in it so I contacted the person who prepared the leaves. The man became my supplier when I returned to Beijing, and I started doing my paintings on the leaves.
It is obvious that the man was unwilling to share his secret formula to prepare the canvas with me or any other person, for that matter. It was time consuming as the canvases had to be shipped from Thailand and, as a result, costly. But I kept on going like that for some time until one day he raised the price for the supplies because he knew I was attracting a number of visitors. That was the time I committed myself to researching and experimenting to come up with my own formula. It took me over a year, but after so many trials and errors I finally came up with my own formula and became self-reliant. In fact, I have come to realize that the formula that I came up with is even more efficient.
How do you try to promote Eritrean culture in your work?
As I told you, at my Sip & Dip workshop, I prepare traditional coffee for my clients. Besides, I try to incorporate some Eritrean culture, traditions and history in my work.
In 2021, for instance, I organized a big exhibition that mainly reflected my Eritrean background. I showcased many of my father’s works from Eritrea and some of my own paintings, and I also put together more than 100 photos, including 10 handicrafts that essentially portray Eritrean beauty. The exhibition was open for over 100 days, the visitation was amazing, and the feedback was extraordinary.
How do you balance your work with raising your kid?
Honestly, my son comes first and then my work. I do most of my activities when he is away for school. He is such a talented kid. He has a very good way of thinking, and an excellent way of storytelling. He comes up with some imaginary tales and puts them on paper. They even have some of his story books at his school library.
If there is anything you want to add?
Well, thank you again. I am planning to open an exhibition very soon, and probably do another one, especially on my Lotus canvases.
Another thing is that there is a project that has been initiated by a documentary production company on global moms, which is titled Mom. The company came scouting for eligible characters to feature in Beijing, and I am happy to tell you that I have been among the few shortlisted. So when the project starts filming, it will follow for a year the life and work of each mom who is selected. That would be an excellent opportunity to boost my work.
Thank you for your time, Martha.