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The Guardian
12-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
‘Painting was my final act of defiance': how a chef from war-torn Eritrea wowed the art world after his death
What is home? What does it mean to belong? For Eritrea-born artist, activist and chef Ficre Ghebreyesus, who fled war in his homeland at the age of 16 and landed on US shores in 1981, these were vital questions that played out in his vibrant, often dreamlike canvases. 'Painting was the miracle, the final act of defiance through which I exorcised the pain and reclaimed my sense of place, my moral compass, and my love for life,' the artist wrote in 2000, in his application for a masters in fine art at Yale School of Art. Ghebreyesus, who died suddenly of a heart attack aged 50 in 2012, left behind more than 800 paintings. These were barely exhibited in his lifetime but have garnered acclaim posthumously, presented at the 2022 Venice Biennale and in a handful of US shows. Now Ghebreyesus will have his first solo European exhibition at Modern Art gallery in London, made up of 25 canvases from the 1990s to 2011, many of which have never been displayed publicly. From vertiginous paintings brimming with pattern and colour to cubist-inflected figurative depictions to abstract geometric patchworks that might denote landscapes, the selection conveys his immense range of styles, sources and subject matter. According to the Ethiopian-American painter Julie Mehretu, Ghebreyesus managed to mine and invent 'a visual language for displacement, of insistence, of affirmation despite loss, loneliness, mourning and grieving'. Ghebreyesus was born to a well-respected family in the Eritrean capital Asmara in 1962, a year after the eruption of the 30-year war of independence from Ethiopia. Despite never living in the Horn of Africa country after his teens, his paintings draw on its rich convergence of influences: the Coptic Christian and Islamic iconography found in Asmara's churches and mosques, prehistoric rock paintings, grand Italianate architecture from Eritrea's colonial past and mural portraits of Marx, Lenin and Stalin painted during the brutal regime of Ethiopian dictator Mengistu Haile Mariam. Ghebreyesus's paintings hold in tension the joy of home life with his parents and five siblings and the horror of soldiers invading their compound and tanks in the streets. In 1978, after his school was shuttered by troops and Ghebreyesus tried to sign up for the Eritrean resistance, his mother packed him off with his cousin to travel on foot across the border into Sudan, then to Italy, Germany, finally arriving in the United States in 1981. These experiences of upheaval and migration show up obliquely in his work. In a pastel work on paper from the 1990s, a luminous moon casts its glow over a barren mountainous scene with a lone tent and two figures huddled by a fire. Another work from the same period is an orange, purple and teal seascape of floating vessels, with what look like tropical flowers sprouting in their wake. Ghebreyesus's widow, American poet Elizabeth Alexander, says he described such scenes as 'dreamscape spaces of memory, flights of fantasy, but grounded in memory'. Boats are a recurrent motif in his oeuvre along with gates, portals and angels. A painting from between 2002 and 2007 depicts sails camouflaged within a square patterning of blues and greens, recalling woven baskets, while another portrays two figures immersed in fluid within some kind of container, tenderly embracing or whispering. In Ghebreyesus's work, boats have 'a roundness, a human bodiness to them, that proper boats don't have,' Alexander notes. 'I think they represent passage from one space to the next, be it a country, be it a state of mind, be it a culture.' On arrival in the US, the artist gravitated to New York and then New Haven, Connecticut, juggling several restaurant jobs at a time, studying and becoming involved in activism for Eritrean liberation. He studied painting at the Art Students' League, a training ground for many abstract expressionists. In 1992 he and his two brothers opened the popular restaurant Caffe Adulis. It was there, while working as executive chef, that Ghebreyesus met Alexander, then a professor at the University of Chicago. They were engaged within a week and went on to have two children, Solomon and Simon. From this time on his palette shifted from darker to lighter hues. 'That sense of re-creating a very family-oriented wonderland was a deep safety and landing for him that I think allowed other things to come out,' Alexander says. Ghebreyesus was, she says, 'a very, very passionate, ardent father'; photos show the children as babies happily lolling on his canvases. Sign up to Art Weekly Your weekly art world round-up, sketching out all the biggest stories, scandals and exhibitions after newsletter promotion Only in 2008, after completing his MFA at Yale, where he won a painting prize, did Ghebreyesus stop cooking and devote himself to art full-time. He would spend many hours in the studio working simultaneously on several unstretched canvases of different sizes, always nourished by music: he loved Thelonious Monk and Ali Farka Touré. Indeed, music fed into his paintings. It's in Seated Musician II, painted around 2011, which gestures to cubism in its colourful geometric planes and fragmented depiction of the subject, whose disembodied, quizzical face floats above the rest of him as he plays the lyre-like k'rar. And music is undeniably present in the enormous colourful burlap painting Map/Quilt (1999), which evokes the bursting rhythms of an improvised jazz composition. Jostling forms in coral, teal, mauve and orange, dotted with glyphs and symbols, stretch feverishly across every inch of the picture plane, dazzling the eye. Ghebreyesus was reluctant to exhibit his work, driven by the desire simply to create, which seems somehow prescient in light of his untimely death. 'He knew he had something to say and to share and to give,' says Alexander, whose 2015 biography of her husband, The Light of the World: A Memoir was nominated for a Pulitzer prize. The artist's forthcoming London show is something of 'a going home' in view of the number of Eritreans living in the capital, she says. His paintings connect to the yearning and lament of exile but also to the joy of reunion and the vitality of diaspora. Above all, they exude an extraordinary, inextinguishable life force. Ficre Ghebreyesus is at Modern Art, London, 14 March to 10 May
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'Beyond her years' - world record signing Girma, by those who know her
It is not often a centre-back steals the show. But when Naomi Girma made her Chelsea debut in their Women's Super League draw at Brighton, all eyes were on her. The United States international became the world's most expensive women's transfer signing in January when Chelsea spent £900,000 to bring her in from San Diego Wave. She was named in Sonia Bompastor's starting XI as they were given a stern test by Brighton but she showed glimpses of composure and quality before her introduction was cut short through injury on the hour mark. So who is Girma, why was she in such high demand and what lies ahead for the future? Girma grew up in San Jose, California, to an Ethiopian-American family and played football in rented spaces in parks with friends. Her football experience began at the age of four, when her dad was a coach of local team Maleda Soccer Club, and she eventually joined Central Valley Crossfire five years later. She has said she was often "the only black girl on my team", and praised the support of her fellow Ethiopian-Americans and family as her career developed, along with that of coach Bob Joyce. It was at Central Valley Crossfire where she linked up with Joyce in an all-girls team, and played there from the age of nine to 17. "She was a star track athlete in 400m at high school with good endurance and incredible speed," Joyce told BBC Sport after revealing Girma had taken part in a training session only because she followed a class-mate to the club. "Most of the time she played for me as a central midfielder. I remember one coach coming up to me and saying 'oh my god, she was shredding us today'. "With her left foot or right foot, it did not matter. She worked really hard on her weaker foot - the left. All of that contributed to her success." By the time she was ready to join the National Women's Soccer League, Girma was well-known in the US from her time at Stanford University. Former San Diego Wave manager Casey Stoney's first job at the club was the college draft and there was no doubt in her mind who her first pick should be. "I remember watching so much footage [of Girma] and I was like 'we need to pick this centre-back as number one,'" Stoney told BBC Sport. "I had a few good battles internally because other people didn't want to pick her as number one and I was very strong because I saw so much talent and potential. "I know a centre-back when I see one. I'm very big on how we build our foundations and I just felt she would give us so much." Getting to know Chelsea's world record signing Girma Get the latest WSL news on our dedicated page Girma's success at San Diego Wave was instant. She was named the NWSL's defender of the year and rookie of the year after her first season. She then signed a new three-year deal, helped San Diego Wave win the NWSL Shield, and was named defender of the year again in 2024. On the international stage, she was US Soccer's female player of the year in 2023 and played every minute as they won gold at the 2024 Olympic Games. "When I first met Naomi she didn't - and still doesn't - know how good she is," said Stoney. "We worked a lot individually with her on her footwork and her positioning. She's got so much ability to cover ground at speed and to read the game. "She second-guessed herself a lot, and I was like 'no, just trust yourself, your judgement is good'. Joyce said Girma will "cope well in England" because of her temperament, which enables her to adapt to any situation. "She is academically smart and reads the game so smartly. She is socially smart and good at reading how people are, how to fit in and how to succeed," he added. Eight-time European champions Lyon made a bid for Girma before Chelsea broke the world-record transfer fee. She had wanted a move to Europe "almost a year ago" according to current San Diego Wave head coach Jonas Eidevall. The prospect of playing Champions League football, competing in the Women's Super League and living in London, which Girma once described as a "dream trip", were all factors in her move. Stoney said she was "not surprised" Girma joined Chelsea, while USA boss Emma Hayes believes it is a good thing to see players moving to Europe. "I want them to feel happy. Happy and well-developed players lead to success on the pitch," said Hayes, who managed Chelsea for 12 years before joining the USA. "We will see even more US players dotted across the world, the game is growing and that is not a bad thing." But Eidevall said a "limiting factor" for NWSL clubs was their ability to compete with salaries offered by European clubs. "If the NWSL is to be the best league in the world, it's really important to have the best players in the world playing in the league," he told BBC Sport. "Right now the reality is the league is not close to matching the salaries that those top players can get in the top European clubs. "I don't believe in forcing any player to stay - I don't think we get the best out of people that way. It was a good solution between San Diego and Chelsea." At first impression, Girma is warm and empathetic, with an infectious smile, as seen in her first interview with BBC Sport. She is clearly popular among her team-mates and coaches alike. "Anyone who ever coached her or played with her would say 'I love Naomi,'" according to Joyce. Stoney added: "She is quietly confident, but humble. She just gets on with everybody. She is really likeable. "She is never going to be the loudest in the room but she is really likeable and just a really nice person." Girma has a degree in symbolic systems and a master's degree in management science and engineering, adding to her intelligence on the pitch. "She is a hard worker and willing to work hard," added Joyce. "She has the right temperament and does not get too high or too low. "Some talented people have psychological issues, but Naomi is very even-tempered. She is funny, very kind and a happy person. She does well in any environment." The USA star has devoted time to championing mental health after losing best friend Katie Meyer to suicide in 2022. She wrote a public letter to Meyer in 2023, dedicating her performances at the Women's World Cup to her and later becoming an ambassador for Kaiser Permanente, an American healthcare company. "As a person and a leader, she is someone who is exceptionally humble, and whose natural ability to read the game and make decisions under pressure, is beyond her years," said USA boss Hayes. "She is a great team-mate, great communicator and is growing in her development as a leader. "She will have an unbelievable career at Chelsea and the fans will love her." Described as "the best defender in the world" by Hayes, Girma will have to adapt to the WSL quickly with the spotlight on her. Chelsea are chasing a quadruple this season and there is hope her arrival will help them clinch an elusive European title. Horan, who won the Champions League with Lyon in 2022, said it is a "challenge in itself" to move to a league where there is a different style to the NWSL. "That's one of the coolest learning experiences - different habits and different ways of playing and how they value the ball over there," said Horan. "They have tough games. Every WSL game is very competitive nowadays so that will be so great for her. "Getting to experience Champions League... I'm excited for her." As well as thriving at club level, many expect Girma to one day take on the armband with the USA national team. Horan, the current USA captain, said she wants Girma "to take on that role as seamlessly as possible when I'm gone". "It's a little bit easier when the girl plays well every single game," said Horan. "She's one of the best players on the field and she brings that standard every single game. That's someone that people look to."
BBC News
02-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'Beyond her years' - world record signing Girma, by those who know her
It is not often a centre-back steals the when Naomi Girma made her Chelsea debut in their Women's Super League draw at Brighton, all eyes were on United States international became the world's most expensive women's transfer signing in January when Chelsea spent £900,000 to bring her in from San Diego was named in Sonia Bompastor's starting XI as they were given a stern test by Brighton but she showed glimpses of composure and quality before her introduction was cut short through injury on the hour who is Girma, why was she in such high demand and what lies ahead for the future? Girma's journey to Chelsea Girma grew up in San Jose, California, to an Ethiopian-American family and played football in rented spaces in parks with friends. Her football experience began at the age of four, when her dad was a coach of local team Maleda Soccer Club, and she eventually joined Central Valley Crossfire five years later. She has said, external she was often "the only black girl on my team", and praised the support of her fellow Ethiopian-Americans and family as her career developed, along with that of coach Bob was at Central Valley Crossfire where she linked up with Joyce in an all-girls team, and played there from the age of nine to 17."She was a star track athlete in 400m at high school with good endurance and incredible speed," Joyce told BBC Sport after revealing Girma had taken part in a training session only because she followed a class-mate to the club. "Most of the time she played for me as a central midfielder. I remember one coach coming up to me and saying 'oh my god, she was shredding us today'. "With her left foot or right foot, it did not matter. She worked really hard on her weaker foot - the left. All of that contributed to her success."By the time she was ready to join the National Women's Soccer League, Girma was well-known in the US from her time at Stanford San Diego Wave manager Casey Stoney's first job at the club was the college draft and there was no doubt in her mind who her first pick should be."I remember watching so much footage [of Girma] and I was like 'we need to pick this centre-back as number one,'" Stoney told BBC Sport. "I had a few good battles internally because other people didn't want to pick her as number one and I was very strong because I saw so much talent and potential. "I know a centre-back when I see one. I'm very big on how we build our foundations and I just felt she would give us so much." What made Chelsea break the transfer record for her? Girma's success at San Diego Wave was instant. She was named the NWSL's defender of the year and rookie of the year after her first then signed a new three-year deal, helped San Diego Wave win the NWSL Shield, and was named defender of the year again in the international stage, she was US Soccer's female player of the year in 2023 and played every minute as they won gold at the 2024 Olympic Games. "When I first met Naomi she didn't - and still doesn't - know how good she is," said Stoney."We worked a lot individually with her on her footwork and her positioning. She's got so much ability to cover ground at speed and to read the game. "She second-guessed herself a lot, and I was like 'no, just trust yourself, your judgement is good'.Joyce said Girma will "cope well in England" because of her temperament, which enables her to adapt to any situation."She is academically smart and reads the game so smartly. She is socially smart and good at reading how people are, how to fit in and how to succeed," he added. Why did she move to the WSL? Eight-time European champions Lyon made a bid for Girma before Chelsea broke the world-record transfer had wanted a move to Europe "almost a year ago" according to current San Diego Wave head coach Jonas prospect of playing Champions League football, competing in the Women's Super League and living in London, which Girma once described as a "dream trip", were all factors in her said she was "not surprised" Girma joined Chelsea, while USA boss Emma Hayes believes it is a good thing to see players moving to Europe."I want them to feel happy. Happy and well-developed players lead to success on the pitch," said Hayes, who managed Chelsea for 12 years before joining the USA."We will see even more US players dotted across the world, the game is growing and that is not a bad thing."But Eidevall said a "limiting factor" for NWSL clubs was their ability to compete with salaries offered by European clubs."If the NWSL is to be the best league in the world, it's really important to have the best players in the world playing in the league," he told BBC Sport. "Right now the reality is the league is not close to matching the salaries that those top players can get in the top European clubs."I don't believe in forcing any player to stay - I don't think we get the best out of people that way. It was a good solution between San Diego and Chelsea." What is she like off the pitch? At first impression, Girma is warm and empathetic, with an infectious smile, as seen in her first interview with BBC is clearly popular among her team-mates and coaches alike."Anyone who ever coached her or played with her would say 'I love Naomi,'" according to added: "She is quietly confident, but humble. She just gets on with everybody. She is really likeable. "She is never going to be the loudest in the room but she is really likeable and just a really nice person."Girma has a degree in symbolic systems and a master's degree in management science and engineering, adding to her intelligence on the pitch."She is a hard worker and willing to work hard," added Joyce. "She has the right temperament and does not get too high or too low. "Some talented people have psychological issues, but Naomi is very even-tempered. She is funny, very kind and a happy person. She does well in any environment."The USA star has devoted time to championing mental health after losing best friend Katie Meyer to suicide in 2022. She wrote a public letter to Meyer, external in 2023, dedicating her performances at the Women's World Cup to her and later becoming an ambassador for Kaiser Permanente, an American healthcare company."As a person and a leader, she is someone who is exceptionally humble, and whose natural ability to read the game and make decisions under pressure, is beyond her years," said USA boss Hayes. "She is a great team-mate, great communicator and is growing in her development as a leader. "She will have an unbelievable career at Chelsea and the fans will love her." What challenges lie ahead? Described as "the best defender in the world" by Hayes, Girma will have to adapt to the WSL quickly with the spotlight on are chasing a quadruple this season and there is hope her arrival will help them clinch an elusive European who won the Champions League with Lyon in 2022, said it is a "challenge in itself" to move to a league where there is a different style to the NWSL."That's one of the coolest learning experiences - different habits and different ways of playing and how they value the ball over there," said Horan. "They have tough games. Every WSL game is very competitive nowadays so that will be so great for her."Getting to experience Champions League... I'm excited for her."As well as thriving at club level, many expect Girma to one day take on the armband with the USA national the current USA captain, said she wants Girma "to take on that role as seamlessly as possible when I'm gone"."It's a little bit easier when the girl plays well every single game," said Horan. "She's one of the best players on the field and she brings that standard every single game. That's someone that people look to."
