“Where there is no light in the society, the artist is the light to hope, happiness and prosperity.”

Brook Yeshitila was born in 1982 in Ethiopia.

He is an inspiring artist who expresses his perspectives and ideologies through sculptures, paintings, and installations. Brook was diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), also known as Marie-Strümpell disease, a rare, progressive form of arthritis affecting the spine and large joints of arms and legs, that made him immobilized except for his arms, for the past 10 years.

Brook like many others, grew up with ambitions and dreams of becoming someone. At a very young age, his dream was to organize his own art show, in Addis Ababa and to follow it up in New York. Due to unforeseen illness, he stopped attending school at the age of 13. Determined to not lose his purpose in life, and as an astute student, in the arts and other studies, he made sure he made his way back to school at the age of 15. Regardless of determination, the illness won over, while in grade 9 at the age of 18, Brook had no choice but to surrender to the illness that took him away from school and the love of his life.

After 10 years of detachment from his passion, Brook was inspired and encouraged to not allow his disability to be an impediment. With the encouragement and love from his countless friends, he found the courage to pick up his paint and brush. “As I looked at my work of art a sense of happiness and thrill took over my whole being. I realized I was still alive.”That was the beginning of a new life.

Now Brook is a motivational speaker, writer, visual artist and runs the first art tv shows called ‘BETIBEB ENINUR’. The program continued to be inspirational and mentored for young Ethiopian youth who would want to be professional artists.