Sculpture is an art in which materials are shaped to convey an idea, emotion, or visually interesting form using materials like clay, wood, stone, plaster, and metal to express ideas with techniques include carving, chiseling, welding, and casting. The processes specific to making sculpture date from antiquity in many parts of the world and Eritrea is not an exception. Today, as art works are developing in the country, a number of new artists especially in sculpture are emerging. Abraham Tesfazgi is one of the many who managed to produce impressive works in sculpture.

Born in 1977 in Asmara, Abraham, started painting during his childhood. In 1998 he started sculpture after he attended a one year course on art in general and sculpture in particular by Chinese Professor Yeyue. “I was motivated after the course that I can do something in sculpture,” he said.

Before the first training, Abraham was working on paintings like church paintings but not on sculpture because he had no clue of that kind of art. Other than that, he received training on ceramic works, bronze casting and this year a sculpture training organized by the Cultural Affairs Office at the PFDJ and the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China.

In the later course, which was conducted for five months, Abraham received praise from his teacher Prof. Chaing. 41 artists have participated and presented a number of works in the inauguration ceremony which was well received by the public.

“Even though the course was very short, we gained a lot of ideas which will help us in our future works. The course also indicated that the number of female artists in the sculpture work is not encouraging. There were only two female artists out of the 41 trainees. Something additional which could increase the participation of women has to be done soon,” Abraham noted.

“Sculpture can tell anything,” said Abraham, “it tells ideas, history, incidents, identity and it serves as symbol or identification of a town or city.”

Abraham said that an art work has to be done in some how competently manner. As a result the needed goal can be achieved. “Eritrean identity can be introduced more to the world through this art. For example, a lot of work could have been done in collaboration with the Eritrean community organization abroad. These organizations can display the work in the annual festivals they conduct and foreigners can now about our works and identity,” he explained.

The reason Abraham concentrated on sculpture is that it gives him concentrated ideas and it gets in contact with him in touch, sight and smell. “It is my life, I love it. I am glad I didn’t fail to see this joy of working sculpture in my life,” he explains.

Some of Abraham’s sculpture works are monument at the gate of the town of Nakfa, monument at the Martyrs Cemetery of Hagaz, monument at the Martyrs Cemetery of Adi-Tekeliezan and two works in the new hotel in Gelealo.

Abraham won a number of art competitions. To mention some: art competition organized by the NUEYS in 1994, Art competition in Sawa in 1996, art work competition among the members of the Ministry of Defense in 2007 (he stood first in all these three competitions) and in national festival 2007 where he stood third.

Today, material scarcity is a commonly seen problem or obstacle in many fields. Abraham is not an exception. “Dedication is the key thing in success. If there is dedication you can overcome what ever scarcity or shortage you are facing. But I don’t mean you can come up from nothing. It is unquestionable that something has to be done in order to face these problems and I believe it will be solved soon. But if you have a little, I am sure you can come up with something,” said Abraham.

Artists Mihcael Adonay and Brhane Abraha are two famous artists that Abraham admires. “Their works played a great role in pushing me foreword and make me who I am today – even though I am still able to do very little,” he explains with admiration.

The national festival and other similar occasions are good opportunities for artists to display their art works and share their experiences. Almost all artists we admire today came through such process and the festivals are the best occasions for them to be introduced to the public.

Abraham agrees with the idea of categorizing artists in different levels based on their art works. “National festival is a suitable ground to categorize artists as they come up with their best. If their work wins, there has to be some recognition to the work and the artist,” he stressed.

Regarding the response from the public, Abraham said that the people crowded to watch his art works and at the same time trying to come up with different explanations as to what a particular art work is displayed in national festivals and similar occasions make him satisfied. “This is a call for further hard work for me.” He added.

Abraham also takes part in the film industry like scenery setting in dramas and stage designing.