Tesfaye Hailu

Tesfaye Wondmagegn Hailu, born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, is a multifaceted artist with extensive experience in fine arts, stage design, film production, church iconography, mural painting, and stained-glass artistry. He studied at the Allé School of Fine Arts & Design at Addis Ababa University, where he developed his skills in painting and visual arts.

Tesfaye’s artistic journey began during his childhood in Addis Ababa’s historic Piassa neighborhood, an area known for its skilled goldsmiths and silversmiths. This early exposure to craftsmanship inspired him to learn jewelry making and influenced the intricate details and careful craftsmanship found throughout his artwork.

His professional career began at Hager Fiker Theater, where he worked as a stage designer alongside his mentor, Seume Ayano. There, he gained valuable experience in set construction, theatrical aesthetics, and visual storytelling.

Renowned Ethiopian filmmaker Haile Gerima later hired Tesfaye as Art Director for the internationally acclaimed film Teza, which received numerous awards at international film festivals. Tesfaye also served as Art Director for the award-winning film The Athlete.

Throughout his film career, Tesfaye contributed to more than 40 movies in roles including Art Director, Production Designer, Visual Effects Supervisor, and Special Effects Makeup Artist. His ability to combine fine art with cinematic techniques made him a respected and sought-after creative professional in the Ethiopian film industry.

Tesfaye’s paintings have also been exhibited at distinguished venues, including the Hilton Hotel and the African Union.

In 2017, Tesfaye moved to the United States and continued expanding his artistic practice. Today, he focuses primarily on painting, church iconography, murals, stained-glass artistry, and audio and video production.

Since relocating to the United States, Tesfaye has completed large-scale artistic projects in five churches. His work includes painting church domes and walls, creating religious murals and iconographic artworks, and designing beautiful stained-glass windows.

His work reflects a distinctive fusion of traditional Ethiopian craftsmanship, spiritual symbolism, theatrical design, and contemporary visual storytelling, establishing him as a highly versatile multidisciplinary artist.