Lot 58

Fitsum Berhe Woldelibanos (Eritrean, born 1979)
Untitled (Blue Boy), circa 2005
Signed ‘Fitsum Berhe Woldelibanos, “date”’ (bottom)
Acrylic on canvas
120 x 120 cm
Ksh 480,000 – 580,000
(US$) 4,650 – 5,650
Provenance: private collection

Sold Ksh 469,600

With a sensitive and powerful use of colour, light and shadow, Fitsum Woldelibanos captures an intensity of his subjects whilst seeking to trouble the constructive nature of identity. This piece, from quite early in his career, articulates Woldelibanos’ ongoing exploration of the relationship between figure and ground, and is exemplary of the fervent and expressive portraits for which he has become so well known. It was acquired by the current owner directly from the artist.

Born and raised in Ethiopia, Woldelibanos graduated from the Asmara School of Arts in Eritrea in 2000, and since then has been living and working in Nairobi, Kenya. His work has gathered an enthusiastic following and has been exhibited extensively in Kenya and internationally, including a solo exhibition in Toronto, Canada in 2015, and in Belgium in 2016.