A Review of Daniel Taye’s exhibit

Daniel Taye’s Oil Baron, an exhibit of 25 paintings is on view at the Lela Art Gallery from September 15 through September 30, 2012.Daniel who is best known for his portraits and landscapes is admired by art lovers and fellow artists. The artist who a few years ago reportedly suffered bouts of depression, alcoholism and an inability to paint has been fighting against all his hurdles and working up right to the end. With the help of his girlfriend (whose beautiful portrait he has done for this year’s Art of Ethiopia) who is encouraging him to keep painting, Daniel is getting back his momentum and producing high technical standards like those he did before.

Daniel Taye’s oil baron

An exhibition of paintings by Ethiopian artist Daniel Taye opens to the public this weekend at LeLa Art Gallery. Oil Baron is a collection of new landscape and figure paintings by the Addis-born artist. Graduated with distinction from the painting department of the Addis Ababa Fine Arts School in the mid 80’s, Daniel is known for his evocative landscape and figurative work. He was once named by CNN as the “Van Gogh of Africa…”.
Born on 5th January 1968, Daniel grew up closely involved with the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and eventually became deacon. From 1990 until 1993, he worked for the Ministry of Mining on the Gold mine Documentation Project. He has seen his work exhibited in Ethiopia as well as several major cities in the USA, Netherlands.
Lilly Sahle, Director of the art gallery says that Daniel’s mind and body work at a very rapid pace. “Intense emotions dwell in his eyes, in his paintings, in his sketches & in this very show featuring mostly recent works, but also allowing the audience to revisit some key pieces from the past ten years,” she says.
The exhibit will open Saturday September 15, from 3pm onward at the LeLa Art Gallery located in Armed Forces Hospital area.
Location: From ring road direction Jimma, take the first right after the Armed Forces Hospital (old Airport) on China Embassy/ Ghana Embassy/ Swedish Clinic road – go down, pass Ghana Embassy approx. 200 mtrs make a right and follow the LeLa sign