Biography

Leykun Girma was born in 1981 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where his passion for art began at an early age. Before pursuing formal training, he worked independently in his own studio and collaborated with fellow artists at Atrons Art Studio. In 2002, he joined Ale School of Fine Art and Design to study fine arts for two years. He later continued his education in painting and achieved a diploma from Entoto Technical and Vocational Training College in 2008.

Deeply rooted in the environment that shaped him, Leykun’s art draws profound inspiration from the cultural richness of Addis Ababa — its faith, politics, history, and philosophies of everyday life. Through expressive color and symbolic narratives, his work reflects a visual diary of the world he encounters.

For more than twenty-three years, Leykun has worked as a full-time painter, exploring both realistic and figurative styles. His body of work weaves together themes of national identity, spirituality, community experiences, and the universal human condition — continually evolving through experimentation and technical innovation.

Leykun’s paintings have been featured in numerous solo and group exhibitions in Ethiopia and abroad. Notable showcases include the 2007 Alliance Ethio-France exhibition, the 2012 National Museum of Ethiopia exhibition, the 2012 Hamburg exhibition in Germany, the 2016 Lafto Art Gallery exhibition, the 2019 Gravity Art Gallery exhibition in Kenya, the 2022 Abrak Art Gallery exhibition, and the 2024 Akka Project exhibition in Venice, Italy, where he presented alongside other African artists.

Alongside his artistic career, Leykun is also committed to nurturing future generations of creatives. He volunteers as an art educator in the Fine Arts Department at Entoto Vocational and Technical College, sharing his skills and passion with aspiring young artists.

Artistic Inspiration

My artistic inspiration is deeply intertwined with my upbringing in Addis Ababa. The culture, faith, political realities, and philosophical reflections embedded in my community have shaped my creative approach. Over the years, I have developed a stylistic language enriched by vibrant colors — a reflection of the dynamic craftsmanship and spirit of the society around me.

Although my current work often leans toward realism, I do not allow myself to be confined to one direction or artistic ideology. My art is a mirror to my surroundings — the dense cityscape, familiar streets, the people I know, and the nature that continually fascinates me. At times, my work ventures beyond the visible world into the fantastical, where symbolism and personal as well as social narratives unfold.

Painting, for me, is like writing a diary: each stroke reveals inner experiences, memories, and visions of both past and future. My style draws from expressive traditions, embracing diversity in technique and meaning as I search for deeper emotional truth.

In a contemporary world that constantly chases novelty, I find purpose in reviving and reimagining traditional elements, making them resonate with the present moment. The human figure remains central in my compositions — a vessel through which philosophical ideas can be embodied and understood. Rather than merely representing, I build new forms that express the emotions tied to human existence. These figures may appear familiar, echoing learned visual memories, yet they emerge from the subconscious to communicate life’s essence within society.

Through symbolic patterning, structured forms, and emotional color, I strive to give shape to unseen meanings — exploring aesthetics as a gateway into new forms of being and perception.

Leykun GirmaMobile: +251-911-464811 | Email: leykungirma@gmail.com Website: www.leykunart.com social media: http://www.Facebook.com/leykunart | http://www.instagram.com/leykungirmaProfessional SummaryAccomplished Ethiopian artist specializing in painting, with extensive experience in exhibitions,workshops, and academia. Passionate about visual storytelling, cultural philosophy, and artisticinnovation.Education• Yekatit 12 High School Art Club Certificate (1997–2000)• Addis Ababa University, Ale School of Fine Arts and Design (2002–2004)• Diploma in Fine Arts (Painting), Teferi Mekonen Technical and Vocational Training College(2007–2009)• Bachelor’s Degree, E O T C Holy Trinity Theological University College (2019)• Master of art in philology, E O T C Holy Trinity Theological University (2025)Teaching & Memberships• Instructor, Fine Arts Department, Teferi Mekonen College (2021–2025)• Member, Ethiopian Visual Arts Association• Co-founder & Member, Abrak Art Gallery (abrakartgallery.com)

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