As It Is, As It Could Be, features new and recent paintings, he explores issues of history, memory, and humanity’s place in both the natural, physical, and cultural landscapes.  At the heart of Demissie's artistic narrative lies the profound connection between humans and the natural landscape, where the two intertwine, shaping each other's destinies on an equal plane.

Drawing inspiration from the tender memories of his upbringing in Gullele, a once-flourishing suburb of Addis Ababa, renowned for its abundant flora and fauna, Demissie's canvases become a mesmerizing dance between humans and the environment. The natural landscape takes on a prominence so captivating that it emerges as a character in its own right, bearing witness to the profound stories of human existence.

Employing a brilliant spectrum of vivid color, Demissie’s compositions are formally striking and bold.  His paintings mine the depths of the relationship between humans and landscape, from the tension between urban and rural to the cultural and geographical changes that have transpired in Ethiopia’s long history. As Demissie ponders the integration of the landscape into daily life, in some paintings he fuses his figures with their environment. 

Dereje Demissie is a graduate of Addis Ababa University Alle School of Art and Design in Ethiopia. His work has been exhibited internationally in both solo and group exhibitions. This is the artist's first solo exhibition at Urevbu Contemporary.