One family’s rich heritage of painting spans generations, each contributing a unique style, technique, and perspective to a collective narrative. This tradition links creativity, skill, and familial bonds, fostering an exchange of inspiration and knowledge, all expressed through a visual language that conveys ideas and emotions with aesthetic qualities.
Lemma Guya’s family and his artistic works form a symbiotic narrative, weaving together their intertwined legacy. When he passed away in 2020, Lemma left behind a lasting imprint on the country’s art scene.
His innovative artistic style, distinctive finishing touches, and prolific body of work have left an enduring impression on Ethiopia’s artistic landscape, where his artistic legacy lives on through two daughters and two sons.
Lemma, the third of eleven siblings, was a father to five children and eight grandchildren. His artistic wisdom resonates not only in his children, but is also evident in the accomplishments of his two brothers, Tulu Guya, a renowned painter, and Aseffa Guya, an esteemed painter and author of various works.
Lemma was born in 1921 in Ada’a Libena Woreda, located 40 kilometers south of Addis Ababa. He grew up imbued with the diligent work ethic of his mother, Mare Gobbena, and an unquenchable thirst for knowledge.
Lemma’s early education was initially put off for domestic labor, as his father tasked him with herding cattle. Nevertheless, with influence from his father’s acquaintances, Lemma commenced his schooling at the age of 14 in his hometown, subsequently enrolling in the teachers’ training college of Adama in 1943.
Driven by his fascination with the military, Lemma eventually departed from the college and enlisted in the Ethiopian Air Force, where he excelled in training and served as a general mechanic.
Lemma’s aspirations extended beyond his service in the prestigious military institution.
Driven by an insatiable thirst for knowledge and a passion for art, he dedicated himself to honing his artistic skills over the span of six decades.
During his long career, Lemma adeptly documented the varied lifestyles of humanity, showcasing his portrayals on ‘goat skin canvas,’ an easily obtainable medium.
Aseffa, the youngest of the Guya siblings, reflected on his journey to becoming a renowned painter. Unlike his brother, Tulu, who pursued art school and rose to prominence in the field, Aseffa studied economics.
Eventually, amidst his brother’s artistic endeavors, Aseffa eventually carved his own path in the world of painting and writing, despite not receiving formal artistic training.
Aseffa highlighted that while Lemma’s influence didn’t directly steer him towards painting, it was instrumental in fostering a culture of encouragement within the family.
He recalled Lemma’s unwavering support for each family member to pursue their passions and interests, irrespective of their field of study or career path.
“In our extended family, education and diverse professions abound,” he noted. “Yet, what distinguished Lemma was his steadfast commitment to fostering a culture of reading and knowledge acquisition. He avidly collected and distributed books of various genres, urging us all to expand our horizons. Furthermore, he was notably remembered for his avid reading habits, multilingualism, and his determination to foster development in his hometown.”
Aseffa recounted that during a time when libraries and schools were scarce in his hometown of Bishoftu, Lemma played a pivotal role in establishing a public library and three schools, where those institutions were inaugurated by Emperor Haile Selassie I.
Lemma also founded an art school where aspiring artists could receive instruction. According to Aseffa, the trajectory of his four children mirrored that of his brother, Tulu, as their artistic pursuits were not directly influenced by their father, who only provided equipment necessary for practice.
Throughout their upbringing, each of Lemma’s children engaged in ongoing learning and honed their painting skills under their father’s guidance. As a result, Lemma’s two daughters sought education and training in New York City, aspiring to become painters. Meanwhile, one of his sons earned a painting degree from the Nigerian Arts College, while the other son, as confirmed by Aseffa, also practices painting.
Presently, all four of Lemma’s children—Netsanet, Selamawit, Derege, and Dawit—leverage their artistic skills to generate income locally and internationally, alongside other professions.
Moreover, the passion for painting within Lemma’s family transcends generations, extending from his two brothers to four of his children. This legacy continues with Tulu’s son, Biserat Tulu, an art school graduate, and Aseffa’s granddaughter, who exhibits early signs of artistic talent.
Furthermore, much like Aseffa, his elder brother Tulu established himself as a renowned artist from an early age, with his graphic artworks in high demand among international art collectors.
Behailu Bezabeh, a faculty member at the Addis Ababa University School of Fine Arts and Design, and Eshetu Tiruneh, a painter and art instructor at the Enlightenment Art Academy, recognize Lemma as a “self-taught traditional painter”.
Behailu notes that Lemma emerged as an artist during a time of scarce artistic resources, relying solely on his ambition and determination, which continues to inspire the present generation with his enduring passion for art.
Eshetu believes that Lemma served as a bridge between traditional and modern painting styles, positioning himself not as a conventional artist but as a self-taught practitioner who straddled both realms.
“He wasn’t a professional painter but rather a self-taught traditional artist who stood at the intersection of tradition and modernity,” he told The Reporter. “Despite not having a formal training, his lifelong dedication to art and his eagerness to share his knowledge make him deserving of respect.”
Eshetu observes that Lemma possessed the skill to engage with the public across various platforms, showcasing his artistic essence to a wider audience.
Lemma, a self-taught artist, channeled his unique perspective onto goat skin canvases, specializing in portraits and landscapes with an array of paints that reflect his distinct aesthetic.
In 1983, Lemma established the Lemma Guya Art Gallery in Bishoftu, originally dedicated to his own creations. Over time, it blossomed into a focal point for African arts and a nurturing ground for aspiring artists across the continent seeking both instruction and creative inspiration.
Furthermore, there exists an institution known as the Lemma Guya Foundation, which harnesses diverse art mediums, including digital art, in a constantly evolving landscape shaped by technological progress.
The foundation provides inclusive art education across all age groups, encouraging students to cultivate their creativity and showcase their creations in gallery showcases upon completion of their studies.
Moreover, it engages in extensive research into the rich cultural tapestry and artistic traditions of Ethiopia’s various ethnic communities. It champions education initiatives, particularly focusing on early childhood education and catering to children with special needs, who often lack access to opportunities but possess remarkable, albeit latent, talents that remain untapped within their homes.