Helen Zeru Araya was born in Addis Ababa in 1987.
She studied economics at Bahir Dar University before enrolling at Addis Ababa University of Fine Art from where she achieved her BFA in 2008. After her graduation she studied photography with DESTA for Africa foundation for one year. She is an active member of Netsa Art Village, works as a studio artists and freelance photographer, and as an art-therapist for several local NGO’s. Helen works with photography, video art, performance, painting and charcoal drawings. Her works often start as reflections of personal and emotional themes, and ends up entering a broader social context, touching upon relevant and pressing issues in society.
CV
Born 1988 in Addis Ababa, 1Ethiopia
Currently lives and works in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
heli_ze@yahoo.com|www.netsaartvillage.com/HELENZERUImage.html
Exhibitions
2013
Heart to Heart, National Gallery, curated by MeskeremAssegued, with IstitutoItaliano di Cultural, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Inspires women II, Laphto Gallery curated by NuruAbegaze , Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Interferenz_en 013, EnBW showroom Berlin curated by Marisa Maza, Berlin, Germany
2012
1stTibilis Triennial – Offside Effect, Addis future, Georgia
Independent curators international (ICI)’s Project 35:volume 2, curated by Fran wuGiarratano with MeskeremAssuged, New York
Meeting here, GIZ, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Notions of peace chapter 2, Serenade Gallery, curated by Karen, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Notions of peace, Serenade Gallery, curated by Karen, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
RUNDGANG, UNIVERSITAT DER KUNSTE BERLIN, Berlin,Germany
Inspired women, Laphto Gallery curated by Nuru Abegaz from Ethiopian contemporary Art Gallery (ECAG), Addis Ababa,Ethiopia
Examples to follow, Modern Art Museum and Goethe Institute curated by Adrienne Goehler, AA,Ethiopia
2011
Fana Wogi, Modern Art Museum, curated by Aida Muluneh, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
I women, Asni Gallery, curated by Konjit seium, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Neutral experience3, National Gallery, Curated by Henok Getachew, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Netsa art village, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Neutral experience 2, National Gallery, Curated by Henok getachew and Solomon Tsegaie, AA, Ethiopia
Alliance ethio Frances, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
2010
Addis Photo Festival, with Mihret Kebede, Alliance ethio Frances, curated by Aida Muluneh, AA, Ethiopia
Let’s talk about love baby, curated by Chido Johnson, Chicago (on continues show at www.letstalkaboutlovebaby.com )
Let’s talk about love baby, Netsa Art Village, curated by Chido Johnson, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Neutral experience 1, National Gallery, curated by Henok Getachew, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
2009
Wapi, National exhibition center, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Wapi, National exhibition Center, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Netsa Art Village, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Performances
2012
Memory back and Forth, Alexanderplatz, Berlin, Germany
2011
Memory back and Forth, at Joseph graveyard, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Rap Poetry, Goethe Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Teaching (volunteering)
2006
An Art Therapist, Sara cannizzaro child minders association(teenagers coming from poor families)
, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
An Art Therapist, Goal Ethiopia Orphanage, AA, Ethiopia
2007
Art Therapist, Tsegireda Memorial kindergarten (kids who came from a very poor family), AA, Ethiopia
Art Therapist, FSCE (teenage street girls working as a prostitute), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Art Therapist, Sara Cannizzaro Child Minders Association(teenagers coming from poor families)
, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Art Therapist, CHADET Ethiopia (young woman’s working as a prostitute), AA, Ethiopia
2008
Art Therapist, Sara Cannizzaro Child Minders Association (teenagers coming from poor families), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Art Therapist, Mother Theresa orphanage (Kida who lives with HIV AIDS), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Awards and Grants
2011
One minute Africa series, one minute video, Town House Gallery, Cairo, Egypt
Fana Wogi, winner of platform for young Artists, Modern Art Museum, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
2010
British council, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
2008
For Good Grades, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Ministry of youth and sport, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Ministry of education, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
2007
Sara Cannizzaro Child Minders Association
Congratulations Honor List from Addis Ababa University Dean office
2006
Congratulations Honor List from Addis Ababa University Dean office
Forth coming Residencies/ Workshops
2013
INSAKA INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS TRUST, Zambia
Margaret Trowell School of Industrial and Fine Arts, Uganda
Residencies/Workshops
2012
Experimentierux , Berlin, Germany
2011
Recycling Art, with Nana Petzet and Tesfahun Kibru, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
2010
Artist Capacity Building, Abro Ethiopia, Netsa Art Village, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Puppetry, CIAI(Italian corporation) and Ficat Circus Group, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
2009
Comics, TAMESOL communications, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Children’s Media, WIZ kids foundation, Goethe Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
2008
Training for educators of children at risk by Donbosco,VIS and European Union, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
2007
Training for educators of children at risk by Donbosco, VIS and European Union, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
2006
Art Therapy Training, by Graham Pebles , Addis Ababa University Ale School of Fine Art and Design, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Selected Public Art Commissions
2008
Wall painting for Children’s clinic, Mother Teresa Orphanage, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
2010
Mosaic Art (mural Art), Desalegne Hotel, and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
2011
Mural Art, Boston Day spa, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
2012
Mural Art, Boston Day spa, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Work experience
2012
Photography documentation, UNFPA,Leave no woman behind, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Photography, Little sun with OlafurElliason, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Organized A Slow Marathon Walk with MihretKebede, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
2010
Photographer, British council, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
2009
Photographer, WAPI, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Membership
2010
Netsa Art Village, (artists collective Experimenting space) www.netsaartvillage.com
2011
Women’s Artist Association
Helen Zeru Araya 