Brook Yashitila | Ethiopia
BIO
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.
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
Selected solo exhibitions:
2014
Thank you, Nov at Capital Hotel, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
2013
Yeneta, Laphto Art Gallery, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Collection, African Union, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
2012
The thirteen months, Asni Gallery, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Fikir Ashenafi, Asni Gallery, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Selected group exhibitions:
2020
Tebeb Le Selam, with Free art felega identity, Addis Ababa Museum, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
2019
Identity, Alle School of fine art and Design, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Group exhibition, MaKi interior design and art gallery, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Peace, Millennium hall, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Art To Z: Spring Group Exhibition, AKKA Project Dubai, Dubai, UAE
2018
Africa…and the other 54 countries, focus on Ethiopia, AKKA Project Dubai, Dubai, UAE
Art of Ethiopia, Sheraton Addis, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
The Grand opening/passion, MaKi interior design and art gallery, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
2017
Peace, Italian cultural institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
2015
Betibeb Eininur, National Museum of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
ARTWORKS
HIGHLIGHTS