Berlin artist Tegene Kunbi has been chosen to represent his native Ethiopia at the Venice Biennale 2026, one of the most prestigious World events in contemporary art.
A graduate of the Berlin University of the Arts (UdK), Kunbi has developed his own distinctive artistic language in Berlin’s vibrant art scene – and he credits JazzRadio Berlin as a significant influence!
Having grown up in Addis Ababa, Kunbi’s work merges cultural memory with contemporary abstraction, creating a unique visual dialogue. While working and preparing for the Venice exhibition, he has been tuning in to JazzRadio – “the music forms part of my creative process”, he says.
“Shape of Silence” – Exploring Memory and Absence
Kunbi’s exhibition, Shape of Silence, looks at silence as both a personal and political space.
His paintings feature vibrant colour fields, layered textures, and geometric forms, drawing inspiration from Ethiopian textiles and visual traditions.
Bringing together elements from the past and present, he creates an artistic paradox, a “contemplative space” where absence becomes presence, and silence itself communicates through colour, rhythm, and form.
Kunbi’s presence at the Venice Biennale highlights a broader movement toward greater visibility for African artists in international art circles.
For Ethiopia, Kunbi’s participation signals more than a one-time appearance. It reflects a growing visibility oa the country’s artistic presence on the world stage.
