← Back to News
Exhibition anuncment
Ethiopian Artist Girmachew Getnet Announces New Solo Exhibition in Frankfurt
Ethiopian Artist Girmachew Getnet Announces New Solo Exhibition in Frankfurt
“Circle – Humans / I Am Because We Are” explores humanity, unity and the language of abstraction
By YESEFERSEW Editorial Team
Ethiopian contemporary artist Girmachew Getnet, who has lived and worked in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, for many years, is preparing to present a major solo exhibition titled “Circle – Humans / I Am Because We Are.” The exhibition will take place at KVFM Kunstverein Familie Montez in Frankfurt am Main from 17 September to 18 October 2026.
The new exhibition represents an important development in Getnet's artistic practice, bringing together his long-standing engagement with figurative painting and his growing exploration of large-scale abstraction.
At the centre of the exhibition is the concept of the circle as a symbol of humanity, equality and connectedness. Through the idea of Circle – Humans, Getnet explores a vision of a shared human community in which differences of culture, identity and background become part of a larger collective experience.
The philosophical foundation of the exhibition also connects with the African concept of Ubuntu — “I Am Because We Are” — emphasizing the idea that human identity and existence are deeply connected to relationships with others.
«“From both an artistic and a scientific perspective, all humans belong to a single species, Homo sapiens, and share almost the same DNA. Despite this common biological basis, people around the world live with many different languages, traditions and ways of life. I bring all of these together by blending colours,” Getnet explains.»
For this exhibition, colour becomes an important visual language through which difference and unity coexist. The artist uses the blending of colours as a metaphor for the diversity of human life, bringing together different histories, cultures and experiences within a shared visual space.
Girmachew Getnet describes his artistic practice as a multifaceted visual narrative in which different eras, faces and histories merge. His work considers humanity as a large interconnected family, where the past and present continuously interact.
The exhibition also marks a significant moment in the artist's engagement with abstraction. While much of his earlier work has been primarily figurative, Circle – Humans includes large-format abstract paintings that allow him to explore ideas beyond direct representation.
Reflecting on his recent artistic development, Getnet connects his move toward abstraction with the contemporary global condition.
«The conflicts, wars and instability of the contemporary world have encouraged him to explore the possibility of inner peace through the creation of large-scale abstract works.»
In his studio practice, spontaneity plays an important role. The artist describes his abstract paintings as emerging through a process that brings together order and disorder, planning and instinct. Rather than seeing artworks as permanently completed objects, he views them as living entities that can continue to grow, change and acquire new layers over time.
Originally from Ethiopia, Getnet's artistic identity continues to be shaped by his Ethiopian and African background while his life in Frankfurt has expanded his engagement with an international and multicultural environment.
“I'm from Ethiopia, but my art is universal,” the artist states, describing Frankfurt as a multicultural environment that has contributed to the development of his Circle – Humans concept.
The exhibition therefore represents not only an individual artistic project but also a broader reflection on contemporary humanity. At a time marked by conflict, division and uncertainty, Circle – Humans / I Am Because We Are proposes another possibility: a shared space of dialogue, equality and connection.
For Ethiopian contemporary art, Girmachew Getnet's continuing practice in Germany demonstrates the growing international presence of Ethiopian artists and the important role of diaspora artists in connecting local cultural experiences with global artistic conversations.
Exhibition Information
Artist: Girmachew Getnet
Exhibition: Circle – Humans / “I Am Because We Are”
Venue: KVFM Kunstverein Familie Montez
Location: Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Dates: 17 September – 18 October 2026
YESEFERSEW Fine Arts Network Platform continues to follow and document Ethiopian artists whose work contributes to the expanding visibility and international dialogue of Ethiopian contemporary art.
“Circle – Humans / I Am Because We Are” explores humanity, unity and the language of abstraction
By YESEFERSEW Editorial Team
Ethiopian contemporary artist Girmachew Getnet, who has lived and worked in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, for many years, is preparing to present a major solo exhibition titled “Circle – Humans / I Am Because We Are.” The exhibition will take place at KVFM Kunstverein Familie Montez in Frankfurt am Main from 17 September to 18 October 2026.
The new exhibition represents an important development in Getnet's artistic practice, bringing together his long-standing engagement with figurative painting and his growing exploration of large-scale abstraction.
At the centre of the exhibition is the concept of the circle as a symbol of humanity, equality and connectedness. Through the idea of Circle – Humans, Getnet explores a vision of a shared human community in which differences of culture, identity and background become part of a larger collective experience.
The philosophical foundation of the exhibition also connects with the African concept of Ubuntu — “I Am Because We Are” — emphasizing the idea that human identity and existence are deeply connected to relationships with others.
«“From both an artistic and a scientific perspective, all humans belong to a single species, Homo sapiens, and share almost the same DNA. Despite this common biological basis, people around the world live with many different languages, traditions and ways of life. I bring all of these together by blending colours,” Getnet explains.»
For this exhibition, colour becomes an important visual language through which difference and unity coexist. The artist uses the blending of colours as a metaphor for the diversity of human life, bringing together different histories, cultures and experiences within a shared visual space.
Girmachew Getnet describes his artistic practice as a multifaceted visual narrative in which different eras, faces and histories merge. His work considers humanity as a large interconnected family, where the past and present continuously interact.
The exhibition also marks a significant moment in the artist's engagement with abstraction. While much of his earlier work has been primarily figurative, Circle – Humans includes large-format abstract paintings that allow him to explore ideas beyond direct representation.
Reflecting on his recent artistic development, Getnet connects his move toward abstraction with the contemporary global condition.
«The conflicts, wars and instability of the contemporary world have encouraged him to explore the possibility of inner peace through the creation of large-scale abstract works.»
In his studio practice, spontaneity plays an important role. The artist describes his abstract paintings as emerging through a process that brings together order and disorder, planning and instinct. Rather than seeing artworks as permanently completed objects, he views them as living entities that can continue to grow, change and acquire new layers over time.
Originally from Ethiopia, Getnet's artistic identity continues to be shaped by his Ethiopian and African background while his life in Frankfurt has expanded his engagement with an international and multicultural environment.
“I'm from Ethiopia, but my art is universal,” the artist states, describing Frankfurt as a multicultural environment that has contributed to the development of his Circle – Humans concept.
The exhibition therefore represents not only an individual artistic project but also a broader reflection on contemporary humanity. At a time marked by conflict, division and uncertainty, Circle – Humans / I Am Because We Are proposes another possibility: a shared space of dialogue, equality and connection.
For Ethiopian contemporary art, Girmachew Getnet's continuing practice in Germany demonstrates the growing international presence of Ethiopian artists and the important role of diaspora artists in connecting local cultural experiences with global artistic conversations.
Exhibition Information
Artist: Girmachew Getnet
Exhibition: Circle – Humans / “I Am Because We Are”
Venue: KVFM Kunstverein Familie Montez
Location: Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Dates: 17 September – 18 October 2026
YESEFERSEW Fine Arts Network Platform continues to follow and document Ethiopian artists whose work contributes to the expanding visibility and international dialogue of Ethiopian contemporary art.