GIRMACHEW GETNET
Circle – Humans / ‘I Am Because We Are’
“From both an artistic and a scientific perspective, all humans belong to a single species, Homo sapiens, and share almost the same DNA. Despite this common biological basis, people around the world live with many different languages, traditions and ways of life. I bring all of these together by blending colours.”
Girmachew Getnet, 2026
About the exhibition:
In this exhibition, ‘Circle – Humans’ embodies both realism and abstraction by transitioning from concrete objects to pure form. The blending of colours unites these two concepts. In this exhibition, I present my large-format figurative art works alongside my abstract pieces. I see this as a wonderful opportunity to highlight contrasts, using the unifying theme of ‘Circle – Humans’ to showcase two distinct art forms and demonstrate the breadth of my artistic range.
The concept of ‘Circle – Humans’ – or ‘Human – Circle’ – is a powerful, inclusive vision that focuses on unity, connectedness, and equality among all people, regardless of skin colour, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or background. It symbolises a gathering of equals, often referred to as a ‘safe space’, where everyone is invited to share their unique experiences.
The circle represents a ‘360-degree’ view of humanity, deliberately bringing all people and all identities together in a shared space. Gathering in a circle eliminates hierarchies. Unlike traditional linear arrangements, such as in classrooms or theatres, a circle enables everyone to see and hear each other, thereby fostering connection and authentic communication. Many interpretations of the circle emphasise a transition from outdated, divisive and patriarchal power structures to a more egalitarian ‘community of humanity’.
The concept of ‘Ubuntu’, which translates roughly from the Zulu language as ‘I am because we are’, has its roots in an African philosophy of the same name and emphasises that people find their identity and purpose in life through their connection with others.
INTERVIEW
■How would you define your core artistic voice or style today?
● My artistic style reflects a multifaceted visual narrative. Fusing different eras and faces is like mixing colours on a canvas. It shows that people across all eras share the same heart and soul. My concept portrays human history as one big family. The old and the new merge into a unified whole, and blending history is similar to using new techniques in abstract painting.
■ What core themes or cultural conversations drive your current body of work?
● The state of global chaos, as well as the various conflicts and wars, has led me to explore the concept of achieving inner peace through creating these large-scale abstract artworks.
■ How has your modern style evolved from your earlier projects?
● Most of my earlier artworks are figurative. This is my first solo exhibition, consisting exclusively of large-format abstract paintings. This medium enables me to express ideas more effectively than I could with realistic paintings, particularly for this exhibition, ‘Human – Circle’. As a freelance artist, I have the opportunity and ability to express my ideas through various media and styles.
■ What do you want viewers to feel or think when they encounter your art for the first time?
●Art consists of visual elements, so I advise visitors to my exhibition to trust their eyes and take in the information conveyed by the paintings.
■ How do you translate intangible concepts or emotions into non-representational forms? What does ‘modern abstraction’ mean to you in today’s saturated visual landscape?
● Since there is no clear image to look at, viewers bring their own stories to the art. It all depends on how you see and understand it — and that is precisely what makes art so special.
■ How much of your finished work is driven by strict internal logic versus raw, uncalculated instinct? Are there specific socio-political, architectural or psychological themes underpinning your colour fields and gestural marks?
● In the studio, these large-format abstract paintings emerge quite spontaneously, without hesitation or delay. Sometimes it is planned and sometimes it is not; there is no hidden motif, strategy or intention behind them. It is simply a matter of merging the orderly and the disorderly together. In doing so, the process relies exclusively on innate nature, not learned or rehearsed behaviour. It is pure and free.
■ How do you know when a piece of artwork is completely finished?
● My artworks are never finished — as long as they’re in the studio, I work on them periodically, adding layers. That doesn’t mean I discard them – I never discard artworks, but rather renew them. I continue to work on the pieces, bringing them to life step by step, just like us — they grow and change over time. My studio thus becomes a place of infinite life.
■ Where are you from, and how does your environment shape your style?
■ I’m from Ethiopia, but my art is universal. I have lived in Frankfurt am Main for many years and feel at home here, in a multicultural city that is, in many ways, the heart of Europe. The diversity of professionals from all over the world in Frankfurt helps me to further develop the idea of a motivating human environment.
My childhood and background in Ethiopia and Africa shape my unique creative voice, while my life experiences in Frankfurt and Europe, as well as the city’s multicultural spirit, inspire my daily work. Meeting people from all over the world in the global community helps me further develop my Circle – Humans ideas.
■ How do you balance the business side of art with pure creativity?
As artists, it is our job to be creative and develop ideas, not to focus on business. But art and the art business share the same creative focus because the creation and sale of art both depend on new ideas. An artist creates a work based on a vision, and an art entrepreneur taps into a market with that same spirit. Both fields require imagination to grow. Artists and art dealers are therefore two sides of the same coin.
■What upcoming projects or exhibitions are you most excited about?
●We’ll figure it out together.
GIRMACHEW GETNET
Circle – Humans / ‘I Am Because We Are’, @KVFM Kunstverein Familie Montez.
17 September – 18 October 2026, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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