FRIDA 2023

Zelalem Merga

is an Ethiopian contemporary environmental artist whose work combines intuition, meditation, and ecological awareness. He creates portraits and compositions from recycled electronic waste and natural materials, transforming discarded objects into meaningful artworks.

For him, art is a form of meditation that brings calmness, clears negative thoughts, and strengthens inner peace and self-confidence. Each piece is both personal and symbolic, reflecting the relationship between humans, society, and the environment.

He is also a strong voice for African identity and sustainability, using his practice to challenge consumer culture and encourage new ways of seeing value in what is usually thrown away.