Merid Tafesse: I studied fine art at the university in Addis. It was very hard to get a place because out of 500 applicants there were only 20 available openings! There is a strong interest in the arts among young people in the city.

Sisanda: Do you work full time developing your own work?

M.T.: Whilst developing my own body of work, I teach at an art center that works with street children between 5 and 15 years of age. My interactions with the youth include exposing them to art from across the continent. I find it important to teach the new generation about their history. The centre I work at hosts various performances and art exhibitions.

Sisanda: Foreign artists often find it challenging to process their visas and other travel documents to eventually arrive at Greatmore. What was you experience?

M.T.: Yes it is, I found a lot of red tape with the embassy. The process of me coming here was very challenging and has actually given me inspiration for my art works.

Sisanda: Merid your primary medium is charcoal, what resonances with you about resident artist Nkoali Nawa’s work?

M.T.: I’m impressed by the process Nkoali goes through when creating his work and the fact that he uses charcoal exclusively. I personally like paper and charcoal because it is so cheap! The intensity of the black on paper speaks strongly around issues of race, this is what my first complete series of work entitle The Black Flag attempted to explore. I enjoy a number of themes, notions of borders, boundaries and religion are important for me… observation is essential to developing my work.

Sisanda: In a sentence what is your “Greatmore experience”?

M.T.: I thought I was going to receive only 50% of my expectations - I have received 150%. I love the location!