Yadesa Bojia

Yadesa Bojia was born in Ethiopia and emigrated to the United States in 1995. In Seattle Bojia studied art at Seattle Pacific University from which he earned a Bachelor’s degree in visual communication, and Seattle Central Design Academy where he received an Associate of Arts degree in graphic design. Yadesa’s exposure to both African and Western art provides him a unique opportunity to understand their relationship as well as their differences. In 2010, he won a worldwide competition to design the flag of the African Union, out of 106 worldwide entries. Bojia believes his work is the by-product of the cultural differences he enjoyed while living in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, and in Seattle, Washington. He also believes artists have a very unique opportunity, as well as responsibility, to work for justice and equality and communicating it to their respective communities. Yadesa Bojia lives in Shoreline, Washington with his wife Hewan Gebremichael and his daughter Becca Bojia and son Isaiah Yadesa Bojia.

Yadesa received GAP 2016 funding for The Invisibles, an art show that captures the struggle of people of color in our day to day life.