This is an Untitled piece created in 1990 by Gedewon Makonnen, who was famous for the talismans he drew, this being an example. Makonnen originally was a cleric for the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, where he was trained and part of the training was drawing these talisman, which are amulets that are considered to have supernatural powers. His drawings of talisman is what made him famous. The spidery lines and how he pencils over surfaces creates an interesting web of designs.
I picked this particular artist because of what made him so famous. I was drawn in to the design he created, there is a certain sense of symmetry, with the white lines, then the strange designs throughout the piece.
The theme I see throughout Gedewon Makonnen’s pieces are those white lines, for some reason made this piece as well as others stick out to me.
November 24, 2009 at 12:28 am
This is a great piece and I am glad that you posted this one. It definitely does have a layered look to it with the white lines really grabbing my attention. Although the entire work is not symmetrical, it certainly has elements of symmetry sprinkled throughout it which make it appealing visually. I love all the designs within the piece and the little tile-like blocks of color. I am a fan!
November 24, 2009 at 10:17 pm
This work is very interesting. Visually it catches your eye, but also the background of supernatural powers adds something to the painting’s meaning. Already it is elaborate and mysterious, but the fact that it represents something more gives it that extra bump. I really like the way the work does not seem cluttered. Usually a picture with this many small parts would seem to complicated, but Makonnen does a great job of allowing everything to flow together in the painting. Nice job explaining the artists training, it really helps to understand a work of art if you know where the artist is coming from.
November 25, 2009 at 4:25 am
Honestly, I am not a fan of such work, but I can see how it could catch one’s eye. You did a wonderful job explaining the background of Makonnen. I wouldn’t have truly “seen” or understood the artwork. Now, that I look at it I am fascinated simple due to the fact that it reminds me of Lord of the Rings. It is very mystical. I agree that the lines are symmetrical. It makes a shield. Thank you for sharing your views on it! Have you seen any of his other work? I wish you would have put your sources on here so, I could get more information on Makonnen.
November 25, 2009 at 7:27 am
I looked at doing my blog on this piece but ultimately chose another, it’s nice to know that someone did it. I like the colors involved here. The depth of the layers that are done in the different colors. You say that you picked this artist because of “what made him so famous.” What do you mean by that? What do you think the designs on the totem stand for? As a religious symbol they should have some meaning.
November 27, 2009 at 4:21 am
When I said “what made him so famous,” for the most part I was thinking that the drawings of the talisman is what he is most well known for. It is more difficult to figure out what exactly the talisman means, but it follows the Ethiopian Orthodox Church beliefs would be my best guess.
November 27, 2009 at 4:23 am
Ya got most of my information from the links for the class and http://www.caacart.com/html/press_out_of_africa.html.
November 28, 2009 at 11:22 pm
When I first viewed the painting I thought of some road map to a mystical place. Talisman caught my attention because my son use to watch a Jackie Chan cartoon that always mentioned a talisman, but I never new what they were talking about, now i do. Good choice of painting I cant wait to share this with my son.