Dereje Shiferaw Worku is a self-taught artist from Ethiopia.
His work is not to reproduce what the eye sees, but to capture his own deepest feelings about a subject and to express with twisted lines, forms and color. Texture and shape are at the core of his paintings.
Dereje shiferaw is interested in depicting compelling figurative portraits from different generations. His work is a vibrant volume of visual questions on humanity filled with powerful portraits of the black man floating in colorful naïve cosmos. The tribal like environ painted with a free light handed flow, is well suited to his selected medium of watercolor mixed medium and innovative treatments which he uses to paint full powerful portraits, probing insects and all aspects of nature.
Dereje’s work compels the viewer to become physically and emotionally invested in the subject’s story. His painting helps create an intriguing dialogue between the subject and the viewer. His point of focus is the eye, nose, mouth and hands which is where our emotions are best portrayed. This is Dereje’s 1+1=3…………..philosophy, in recognition of a higher power always present amongst and with us.
Dereje translates these visions through his signature watercolor and mixed media on paper.