Meet Leykun Girma of Ethiopia

Today we’d like to introduce you to Leykun Girma.

Hi Leykun, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I began with instinct, not a plan. Drawing and painting were my way of making sense of the world around me my culture, faith, and everyday life. What started as a natural impulse gradually became a disciplined practice. I spent years studying, experimenting, and pushing my style until it developed into a voice I could truly call my own.

I’m based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and my environment continues to shape my perspective and visual language.

Over the past 24 years, my journey has been built through consistent studio work, learning, and reflection on culture, belief systems, and contemporary realities. My background in philology and theology has also deepened my understanding of language, symbolism, and meaning elements that play an important role in my work.

Where I am today comes from discipline and constant questioning never settling, always evolving. I’ve taken what I inherited, challenged it, and reshaped it into something personal. The journey is ongoing, but now my work speaks more clearly about who I am and what I stand for.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It hasn’t been a smooth road. Like many African artists, I’ve faced uncertainty financial pressure, limited opportunities, and the challenge of being understood. There were times when my work didn’t fit expectations, and that can make it harder to find support.

But those struggles shaped me. They pushed me to stay independent, to trust my voice, and to keep evolving without compromising what I believe in. In a way, the obstacles became part of the foundation of my work.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a visual artist based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, working primarily in painting. My practice explores identity, faith, culture, and philosophy often through bold figures, symbolic elements, and a mix of traditional and contemporary influences.

I specialize in developing a distinct visual language that reinterprets familiar themes rather than repeating them. My work often challenges expectations, combining spiritual and cultural references with a modern, expressive approach.

Professionally, I’ve focused on building my voice and sharing it through exhibitions, commissions, and collaborations. I’m known for creating pieces that feel both rooted and disruptive works that carry meaning beyond the surface.

What I’m most proud of is staying true to my direction, even when it wasn’t the easiest path. I’ve built my career through consistency and self-belief.

What sets me apart is my willingness to question and reconstruct taking what people think they know and presenting it in a new, honest way.

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I had a mentor when I was a student, which gave me a strong foundation and guidance early on. But over time, I developed my own path through studio experience learning by doing, experimenting, and building my voice independently. Now, in some ways, I also learn from my audience, through how they respond to my work.

My advice is to value mentorship when you have access to it, but don’t rely on it forever. At some point, you have to trust your own direction. For networking, what worked for me was staying consistent, sharing my work, and letting connections grow naturally. Real relationships come from authenticity, not just opportunity.

Pricing:

• * Original paintings: prices vary based on size, detail, and concept * Small works: $800 – $1500
• * Medium works: $1500 – $3000
• * Large-scale works: $10000+

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.leykunart.com
• Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/leykungirma
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/leykunart
• LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/leykungirma

Image Credits
Leykun art