Celebrating Artist Tibebe Terffa: His Legacy, His Art & His Life
- DATE: Saturday, July 26, 2025, starts promptly at 3:00 p.m. 🕒Please make sure to be on time.
- LOCATION: Centre for Social Innovation (CSI), 720 Bathurst St, Toronto, Canada
- ADMISSION: There is no cover charge
- RSVP: Please let us know you are attending by clicking here to reserve your spot.
- Contact: celebratingtibebe@gmail.com
- Website: tibebeterffa.com
የአርቲስት ጥበበ ተርፋ መታሰብያ፣ ጥበቡ እና ህይወቱ
- ቀን፡ ቅዳሜ ጁላይ 26 2025 ከቀኑ 3፡00 ሰዓት ጀምሮ። 🕒እባክዎን በሰዓቱ መገኘቶን አይዘንጉ
- ቦታ፡ Centre for Social Innovation (CSI), 720 Bathurst St, Toronto, Canada
- መግቢያ: ክፍያ አይጠየቁም
- እባክዎን ቦታዎን ለመያዝ እዚህ ላይ በመጫን መገኘቶን ያሳውቁን
ከአክብሮት ጋር!
Join us for an evening of art, memory, and celebration in honour of the late Artist Tibebe Terffa. This special gathering brings together family, friends, and fellow artists to celebrate his art, his life and legacy through storytelling, live tributes, a collaborative art experience, and a gallery walk featuring his works.
Organizers: Family and friends of Tibebe Terffa
About the Artist
Artist Tibebe Terffa was born in the historic walled city of Harar, Ethiopia. Tibebe pursued his artistic education at the Addis Ababa University School of Fine Art and Design, where he studied painting and graduated in 1973. During his time at the school, he co-founded the Sixteen Young Artists’ Association, a pioneering collective that organized exhibitions across Ethiopia and helped shape the country’s modern art movement.
From 1973 to 1980, Tibebe worked as an art instructor at Medhane Alem Comprehensive High School in Harar. In 1981, he relocated to Addis Ababa to work as an illustrator for Kuraz Publishing House before fully dedicating himself to his art practice in 1984, working from his home studio.
Over the course of his career, Artist Tibebe has held numerous solo exhibitions both in Ethiopia and internationally; including Germany (Berlin), Switzerland, Canada (Winnipeg and Toronto), the United States (Washington, D.C., Kentucky, etc.), Kenya, and Spain (Madrid). He is known for his colourful, abstract, and modern art.
“Sometimes color itself becomes my point of departure … Something may come to me as I look at a can full of liquid paint, and when I look up and look around me … My own painting may be creating a particular feeling in me when I look at it, egg me on to further work… because I am full of contradictions by virtue of being human; thoughts that suddenly cross my mind may prepare me to do a picture.”
- Tibebe Terffa
What Others Say About Him
“Tibebe’s art reveals a mystical spirituality that can’t be pinned down by one belief system. Rooted in his homeland yet ever-evolving, he experimented without borders.”
— Ray Dirks, Artist & Curator, Winnipeg, 2002
“The man begins to dance with his colors… it is not clear who is leading. The impish man laughs with delight at his canvas as it begins to show consciousness.”
— Dr. J.M.C. Price, Toronto, 2000
His Paintings
His Creative Home Garden
Videos and Interviews
My sister and I recently did this video in honor of our father Artist Tibebe Terffa a tribute to the beautiful times we shared growing up in our beloved home in Addis Ababa. The memories feel so fresh, as if they happened just yesterday. Our childhood was filled with joy, love, and warmth, thanks to our incredible parents.
Our father raised us with so much care and compassion. He taught us how to truly live with heart, purpose, and creativity. His words still echo in our minds: “Passion for Life & Art always with you!”
This video is a small reflection of the deep love and unforgettable memories that shaped us.
📌
Yechewata Engida - Artist Tibebe Terffa Interview With Meaza Birru Part 1 @ShegerFM1021Radio
Yechewata Engida - Artist Tibebe Terffa Interview With Meaza Birru Part 2 @ShegerFM1021Radio
In loving memory of Tibebe Terffa አዲስቅኝት New perspective# ከታላቁ አርቲስት ጥበበ ተርፋ ጋር ተጀምሮ ያልተቋጨው ቆይታ!
Event Program Schedule
Doors open at 3:00 p.m. sharp. We encourage all guests to arrive on time so you don’t miss any part of the experience.
Here’s what’s happening throughout the day:
- Welcome & Opening Remarks: We’ll kick off the event with a warm welcome from our MC, who will introduce the day’s purpose and highlight what to expect.
- Interactive Canvas (Ongoing): All guests are invited to contribute to a collaborative painting throughout the event
- Video Tribute: A heartfelt video featuring memories and reflections from friends and family of Tibebe Terffa.
- Live Tributes & Speeches: Loved ones will share stories and reflections on Tibebe’s legacy,his art ,his life, and the community he helped build.
- Gallery Walk & Mingling: Stroll through a curated display of Tibebe’s work, view photo slideshows, and connect with fellow guests over light refreshments.
- Canvas Reveal: At the end of the evening, we’ll unveil the final collaborative artwork created by guests throughout the day.
- Closing Remarks: A final thank you to all who joined in this celebration of legacy, art, and life.