The first time I came across one of Yohannes’s works on Instagram, I was blown away. It was as if a whole new world had opened up to me. His art blends surrealism with Ethiopian signs and cultural elements, notably the traditional tattoos known as Niskat, an ancestral practice in Ethiopia.
I find Yohannes’s work imbued with such poetry, grace, and mystery. My reaction of wonder was visceral, and I contacted him on the spot to offer to exhibit his work in the ARTssembly.

As I contemplated his creations more closely while awaiting his reply, I realized, as I read their captions, that they were digital art! Without these captions, I wouldn’t have been able to distinguish his art from traditional art. It was truly astonishing!

I heard back from Yohannes within minutes, and we immediately set up a video call.

Our call lasted almost an hour and I discovered the many facets of an exceptional artist.

Yohannes got his start in art by traditional means; drawing and painting. On the advice of one of his teachers, who noticed his drawing skills, he entered a school of architecture, which he is still attending today and from which he will graduate in the summer of 2024.

Under the stress and pressure of his architecture studies, Yohannes turned to digital art as a form of therapy. This remedy quickly became a passion, translating into an artistic rigor that has made him an increasingly recognized digital artist on social media. Indeed, his works are enjoying great success as NFT art (digital assets that can be sold or traded on digital marketplaces).

Yohannes’s dream is to build a business that offers architecture and digital art services in Ethiopia, as he is well aware that these art forms are interrelated and will most likely shape our future (if they haven’t already). He wants to set an example in these fields for Ethiopia and Africa. He’s working rigorously on this dream and has already laid the foundations with a friend, in preparation for his career after graduation. I truly love what you’re doing, Yohannes, and I can’t wait to see how far you take your art.

Thank you for introducing me to a new artistic world.

Discover the sensational world of Yohannes here: https://www.instagram.com/johnny_mitiku/

Location: Addis Ababa (Ethiopia)