A new interview with Tegene Kunbi has been published on Artribune, featuring the Ethiopian artist representing Ethiopia at the 61st Venice Biennale with Shapes of Silence.
In the interview, Kunbi discusses the genesis of the project and the central role that textiles, memory, and tradition play in his practice. More than thirty works, many of them monumental, bring painting into dialogue with textiles from different contexts—from handwoven fabrics made by the artist’s mother to industrial materials produced for African markets, sacred garments, and everyday fabrics.
At the heart of the exhibition is the concept of silence, understood not as absence, but as a space of tension, memory, and negotiation. Through painting, Kunbi transforms personal experiences and cultural references into an abstract language capable of engaging an international audience.
Shapes of Silence is on view at Palazzo Bollani (Castello 3647), Venice, through November 22, 2026.
Read the full article here.
