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PetrosGhebrehiwot

Biography

Born on the 17th February, 1972 in Asmara, Eritrea, Petros now lives and works in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal.

He started his tertiary education in the field of Biology at the University of Asmara, but switched to Fine Arts, and has completed a Master of Arts Degree, and a post-graduate Diploma in Fine Arts at the University of KwaZulu-Natal .

Petros has worked in many artistic genres, including painting, printmaking, ceramics, computer graphics, book binding, sculptures, and model construction. He worked as a graphic designer at various companies in Eritrea between the years 1996 and 2001, and produced many logos, posters, postage stamps, calendars, newspaper title designs, cover designs, illustrations and cartoons.

A resume of his work and exhibitions follows:

Prizes won in Eritrean Art Competitions

• 1st prize: Eritrean children's competition 1983
• 1st prize: Eritrean children's competition 1984
• 3rd prize: Eritrean children's competition 1985
• 1st prize: Eritrean student's competition 1996
• 1st prize: Sawa - military training camp 1998
• 1st prize: Abusalama poster, 1998
• 1st prize: Peace and Defence, Ministry of Education Eritrea 1999
• 2nd prize: Raimoc 2000 (national art competition)
• 1st prize: 2 postage stamps for the 10th anniversary of Eritrean Independence, Eritrean Postal Service 2001
• 1st prize: Poster for the 10th anniversary of Eritrean Independence, Ministry of Information 2001.

Solo Exhibitions

• 1999 - Art Corner Display, British Council, Asmara, Eritrea.
• 1999 - The Road to Freedom, Eritro-German Hall, Asmara, Eritrea.
• 2004 - Secrecy of Shelters, Jack Heath Gallery, Pietermaritzburg, RSA.
• 2005 - Secrecy of Shelters, Tatham Art Gallery, Pietermaritzburg, RSA.
• 2006 - Secrecy of Shelters, artSpace, Durban, RSA.
• 2007 - Gathered Spririts, Afronova, Johannesburg, RSA.

Residence Exhibitions

• 2006 - Gatherings, Bag Factory Studios, Johannesburg, RSA.
• 2006 - Movements, Greatmore Studios, Cape Town, RSA.

Group Exhibitions

• 2000 - Kuwait.
• 2000 - Expo, Asmara, Eritrea.
• 2001 - Asmara, Eritrea.
• 2001 - Massawa, Eritrea.
• 2002 - CVA Staff and post-graduate students, Pietermaritzburg, RSA.
• 2003 - CVA Staff and post-graduate students, Pretoria, RSA.
• 2004 - Midlands Biennale, Tatham Art Gallery, Pietermaritzburg, RSA.
• 2004 - BAT Centre, Durban, RSA.
• 2005 - Court Painting Project, Tatham Art Gallery, Pietermaritzburg, RSA.
• 2005 - CVA Staff and post-graduate students, BAT Centre, Durban, RSA.
• 2006 - Jabulisa - The Art of KwaZulu-Natal, Tatham Art Gallery, Pietermaritzburg, RSA.
• 2006 - the Biscuit Mill, Cape Town, South Africa.
• 2006 - Sibayya Casino, Durban, RSA.
• 2006 - The Bell Thupelo International Workshop, Rorke's Drift, RSA.
• 2007 - Sibayya Casino, Durban, RSA.
• 2007 - Jabulisa - The Art of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban Art Gallery, Durban, RSA.
• 2007 - Afronism, Afronova, Johannesburg, RSA.
• 2007 - Artworks@Kwanyoni, Hilton, RSA.
• 2007 - Heritage Arts Festival, Kizo gallery, Gateway, Durban, RSA.

Public and Private Collections

• Corporate and private collectors in Eritrea, South Africa and Europe.
• Tatham Art Gallery, Pietermaritzburg, RSA.
• Magistrate's Court, Pietermaritzburg, RSA.
• Gallery Momo, Johannesburg, RSA.
• Nandos Collections, London, UK.
• Eritrean Development & Investment Bank, Asmara, Eritrea.
• Fumis Electronics, Ertitrea.
• UNICEF, Eritrea.
• British Council, Asmara, Eritrea.
• Eritro-German Cultural Centre, Eritrea.
• Pavoni Social Centre, Eritrea.
• Eritrean Ministry of Defence.