Harmony in Chaos: The Resilient Artistry of Brook Yeshitila
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Brook Yeshitila is not your ordinary abstract painter. Dealing with Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), a condition affecting mobility, he’s mastered the art of painting while lying upside-down on the ground. Through vibrant canvases that captivate the soul, Yeshitila merges personal struggle, Ethiopian heritage, and an unflinching optimism for life’s possibilities.
Yeshitila’s recent solo exhibition “Harmony” at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Abu Dhabi received significant acclaim, thanks in part to a collaboration with the Ethiopian Embassy. “The wall becomes part of the painting,” he says, detailing how he cuts out parts of the canvas, allowing viewers to see the wall behind it. When the painting changes location, the art itself morphs. For Yeshitila, this represents the idea of giving chances to everyone, emphasizing that untapped talent often dies unrecognized. “We have to live in harmony, by giving a chance and opening doors to others’ success too,” he shares.
Living with AS, Yeshitila has had his fair share of challenges, but rather than dwell on them, he chose to focus on his capabilities. “What do I benefit if I cry for my whole life? No one will care. No one will remember the pain I suffer,” he says. Using art as therapy, Yeshitila creates his pieces lying upside down, turning his condition into a source of creative power. “When I do art, I feel free; I feel like I’m flying in the sky,” he says.
Beyond its visual spectacle, Yeshitila’s art is imbued with themes of peace, hope, love, gratitude, forgiveness, and harmony. He is also deeply influenced by the power of nature, emphasizing its resilience and cycles as a lesson for humanity. “Nature works in silence, in processes. I see the rebirth of nature in the beauty of the process,” he adds.
In terms of creative process, Yeshitila emphasizes fluidity and openness. “I follow the flow, just like a river follows its path. I don’t want to limit or bound my imagination. Whatever good idea comes to my mind, I will do it,” he says. This free-form approach not only applies to his abstract works but also to his portraits of the UAE’s rulers, which he paints out of deep respect for the UAE’s commitment to social harmony and inclusion.
His Ethiopian heritage remains a strong influence. Born and raised in Ethiopia, Yeshitila was captivated by traditional Ethiopian church art as a child, which he says shaped his artistic journey. “Ethiopian traditional painting started in church art after cave art. My artistic life was shaped in that moment,” he reveals.
For emerging artists, Yeshitila has some sage advice: “Success goes hand in hand with problems. Be creative with your struggles. Make your pain sweet pain.”
Looking ahead, Yeshitila is keen on expanding his artistic horizons. “I want to do a lot of worldwide exhibitions, collaborate with other artists, and even set a Guinness World Record,” he says. On September 10, he’ll present 30 of his works at L’Atelier des Arts in Abu Dhabi, under the exhibition title ‘The New Beginning.’
With a spirit as vibrant as his paintings, Brook Yeshitila is a compelling example of how art can triumph over adversity, and how an individual’s challenges can become the very soil in which creativity blooms.
