Tewodross Melchishua

Curator/Artist

ARTIST STATEMENT

“My work consists of a variety of mediums and genres including digital art/multimedia, design, animation, film/video, installation, sculpture and painting. However, there seems to be one underlying theme: rhythm or movement.

I am interested in preserving cultural memory; and to use visual narrative to communicate life experiences. These experiences are universal and it is my intention that they generate movement (rhythm) on many different levels. Animation, motion graphics and digital art are my preferred mediums, however, I have been exploring ways to also incorporate traditional media (painting, sculpture, installation and design) with technology”

 

In my own tribute to Guru, my work, Planet X Marks the Spot (Nommo Music for the Suckas, Part II), I am attempting to illustrate the sci-fi and metaphysical side of hip-hop. Based on “Above the Clouds,” by Gangstarr featuring Inspektah Dek, and produced by the legendary, DJ Premier. Although not an MC, DJ Premier (or Premo) is half of the legendary hip-hop duo that makes up Gangstarr, and one of the most prolific producers in hip-hop. It is my attempt to use digital art, mixed media and motion, to take the viewer on a journey, and one that challenges what we “think” we know, and have been taught about the human race, earth, science, religion/spirituality and the universe.

My other work SOAR (Keep Risin' to the Top) of course is from still one of the BEST live hip-hop performer's I have seen,
none other than Doug E. Fresh and the Get Fresh Crew, as well as the song Morning Child by 4Hero. This work deals with overcoming depression and using art to help oneself in spite of life's challenges, something I have had to deal with personally and professionally. It is a different take on hip-hop and art as a healing force in addition to having a message or simply being about entertainment.




The other video project I created, Donnie Hath Made Me See Lonnie's Path, is of course taken from the song, Geto Heaven by Common. It is not only a tribute to the poetry and lyracism of Common, but also The Roots (Proceed) and countless other who referenced and honor one of the greatest and often overlooked musicians and performers, Donny Hathaway. Of course Common references Lonnie Liston Smith, another great musician. This is my tribute to Harlem, the Bronx and the whole NYC as laying the foundations for hip-hop.

 

BIO

 

Tewodross “Tee” Melchishua (pronounced Tay-oh-droze Mell keh-shoo-ah) was born in Washington, DC and grew up in Prince George’s County, MD. He received a B.A. Degree in Art and Photographic Media from Morgan State University. He also completed his MFA in Imaging and Digital Arts, at The University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC).

Tewodross has years of experience as an animator, filmmaker, designer, visual artist, educator, and creative consultant in the Washington, DC, and Baltimore metropolitan areas. His animation, art and films have been shown to audiences nationally and internationally. He has also been a featured speaker and consultant on several workshops, panels and television programs discussing issues, research areas and topics such as animation, digital art, new media, design, filmmaking, hip hop/urban art, and technology.

He is also the recipient of a Fulbright-Hays Seminars Abroad Fellowship titled, Faces of Islam in Africa, which allowed him an opportunity to travel to Senegal and Morocco. He was able to use this experience to research African and Islamic art, music and culture.

Tewodross has also conducted workshops and participated in panels and lectures on animation and has received numerous awards and recognition for his work in video and animation such as The SONY Innovator's Award in Animation; Sony Corporation, New York, NY, First Place for Animation from The Maafa Film & Video Festival, Brooklyn, NY, The Paul Robeson Award in Film and Video, Newark Museum of Art, Newark, NJ. The Annual Rosebud Independent Film & Video Competition, Washington, DC, The National Black Programming Consortium's Prized Pieces, Columbus, OH. He has also received grants/fellowships from the DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities, The Maryland State Arts Council and The Cultural Development Corporation of Washington, DC.

He currently serves as an Associate Professor of Computer Graphics Art (Visual Communication & Digital Media Arts) in the Department of Fine & Performing Arts at Bowie State University. He also works extensively with community based programs as a mentor/sponsor of internship programs such as Designer’s Without Borders (DWB); an international, design and mentoring program to students studying design in Uganda, West Africa.

Tewodross is also a member of FocusOnDesign, The National Association of Artists of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (NAAHBCU), SIGGRAPH and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., and is the founder of Visual Jazz Media Group, LLC, an online media arts & studio collective, where he serves as Creative Director.