Betiel Ghirmay Araia

Held In Layers ll

This work explores how identity is shaped through community and lived experience, expressing how heritage remains alive through artistic reinterpretation.

“Held in Layers II builds on the structure of the first panel through the use of tea and coffee dye. The circular form, layered faces, and netsela remain, while the stained surface brings the work closer to everyday practice and lived experience.In Eritrean culture, tea (shahe) and coffee (boon) are central to daily life and communal gathering. By using these materials as dyes, I connect the work directly to these shared practices, allowing the surface to carry their presence.The layered faces represent ancestors and Eritreans who came before me, forming a collective presence. The netsela placed over these layers acts as both a protective and unifying element, holding them together and reflecting how cultural practices continue through use and making.”