Elias was born in the town of Assela, located in the Arsi zone of the Oromia region. He later graduated from the Fine Arts program at Addis Ababa University and is now a 38-year-old full-time studio artist based in Addis Ababa.
Elias is known for his detailed and expressive portraits of women, inspired by the strong impressions left on him during his childhood while observing women in the local market. His work often features women from Harar and various regions of Oromia, depicted in beautifully rendered traditional clothing. Elias’s attention to detail brings these garments to life, celebrating cultural identity and the elegance of Ethiopian womanhood.
