Receiving the Dover Prize bursary would enable me to advance my visual arts practice at a significant point in its trajectory. I have developed large, thematically linked painting series over the past few years—comprising over 30 completed works—which are ready for a solo exhibition. The funding would support the production, documentation, and presentation of these bodies of work while also allowing me to continue expanding the series and delve into large installations.
My practice draws from Eritrean heritage and diasporic memory, with a focus on landscape and identity. I work primarily with acrylic on various surfaces, combining gold leaf to explore cultural preservation through material storytelling. The bursary would be used to acquire professional materials, custom framing, and high-resolution documentation for press and archival purposes. It would also cover costs associated with exhibition logistics, shipping, and the pursuit of future international residencies and opportunities for cross-cultural exchange.
In 2022, I co-curated Ode to the Ancestors at the Horniman Museum as part of the Reclaiming African History project, mentoring young artists and collaborating on the final exhibition layout. In 2018, I curated exhibitions at RIBA, Arup, New London Architecture, and the Stephen Lawrence Trust. My commissioned works include paintings and sculpture for a Japanese-Filipino restaurant in Soho (2021), and a series of paintings for an environmental consultancy firm in Blackfriars (2022).
The Dover Prize would provide the financial and creative stability to refine and exhibit existing work, while also facilitating the development of new series that continue to explore identity and cultural narrative through visual language.
Website: www.kisstesfay.com
Selected works: Saatchi Art | HUG
My work explores themes of heritage, migration, and landscape through painting, often drawing from Eritrean cultural narratives and diasporic memory. These themes are universal in resonance and provide a platform for cross-cultural dialogue and deeper engagement with identity and belonging.
Should I receive the Dover Prize, I would aim to connect with local communities in Darlington through participatory workshops, artist talks, and collaboration with local institutions. I believe in creating accessible and inclusive work that invites reflection and conversation, particularly with young people and underrepresented groups. My past experience mentoring emerging artists through the Ode to the Ancestors exhibition at the Horniman Museum, and curating community-focused shows, reflects this ethos.
Presenting my work in Darlington would not only introduce new visual languages to the area but also foster cultural exchange—bridging local and global narratives through the arts. My multidisciplinary approach, which integrates painting, curation, and storytelling, offers a model for creative practice that is expansive, collaborative, and rooted in lived experience. I would welcome the opportunity to contribute to Darlington’s evolving cultural landscape with work that is both personal and publicly relevant.
Website: www.kisstesfay.com
My practice draws from Eritrean heritage and diasporic memory, with a focus on landscape and identity. I work primarily with acrylic on various surfaces, combining gold leaf to explore cultural preservation through material storytelling. The bursary would be used to acquire professional materials, custom framing, and high-resolution documentation for press and archival purposes. It would also cover costs associated with exhibition logistics, shipping, and the pursuit of future international residencies and opportunities for cross-cultural exchange.
Educational Background:
Westminster [KWC]: Fine Art & Photography | Fashion Design & Textiles.
Central Saint Martins [UAL]: Fine Art 3D/Sculpting
Royal College of Art [RCA]: Bronze Sculpting.
Horniman Museum & Gardens
[Reclaiming African History Project – Ode to the Ancestors]
While I have not been formally commissioned by a public institution in the traditional sense, I have been commissioned for community-based art projects funded by public institutions. One example is my involvement in the “Our Pimlico” film screening and community dinner at the Churchill Gardens Tenants Association in London. The project was funded by Peabody grants, and I was commissioned to create an artwork that translated and interpolated the themes of the film, which explored loneliness and community spirit. In addition to my artistic contributions, I was part of the curatorial and organising team and worked as a photographer for the event, using Photoshop as part of my artistic practice. Although the budget was small and my payment was limited, this work was funded by a public institution, making it a relevant example of commissioned work in this context.
Yes, my artwork was featured in TUGZ Magazine’s Black History Month Online Exhibit in 2022, where I was recognised as one of the Top Creatives. The exhibition showcased a selection of work celebrating Black culture and creativity. You can view the feature on TUGZ Magazine’s Instagram account: TUGZ Magazine Instagram.
Email: kiss.tesfay@hotmail.com
Address: Flat 10, Block A, Peabody Avenue, London, SW1V 4AR, GB
Local Authority: Westminster City Council
