-Could you introduce us about yourself?
My name is Selam Goitom. I was born in 1989 at Sahel. I took my education at Finland Mission and Barka schools. I am member of the 20th batch National Service. I took technical training and diploma in accounting from SMAP and three years course in painting.
-You are a painter, technician and accountant. Do you think it is good to have many professions at the same time?
I think it is good. It enlarges your creativity. Alongside painting I also try to produce poems.
-How do you manage to produce poems alongside painting?
I give priority to painting. I produce poems occasionally as a hobby and not as a profession.
-What is art to you?
Art is my world. A world without art would be boring.
-When did you find yourself as artist?
I had the love of it since my early childhood. I remember one day Dad was asked to paint something as an assignment. He was very much disturbed on how to do it. And I asked him that I paint it for him. He was not convinced but he agreed. When I did it he was very glad and he took me to Mirara School of painting and with that I had the opportunity to get three years training in painting.
-What discipline do you follow?
I follow abstract painting.
-Do your paintings reflect your gender?
Yes! I believe that women should be proud with what they are. And many of my painting reflect my gender.
-What message do you want to convey with your paintings?
I want to tell the world that women are the essential part of the community that could make miracles without expecting any outside assistance. And I represent that woman with my painting.
-You also speak Tigrigna, English and French. What is the advantage of speaking different languages?
I would like to compare language with a road that connects many places. Language also helps you to communicate with different people from different languages. One expresses his/her idea through language. I have many advantages the fact that I speak different languages.
-Who is your role model?
There many role models for me. Musie, Habtom and others who helped me become who I am today. These were my teachers.
-What is the beauty of art?
The beauty of art is the message you want to convey.
-What message do you want to convey for women?
I would like to tell them that they should never give up. They have to show practically who they are.
-Any final thought?
I would like to thank my father for giving me the opportunity of training. I would like also to thank all my friends, my teachers and the staff of Alliance Francoise.
-Good luck!
Thank you very much!