MOTHER OF MENELIK

The Queen of Sheba, a figure revered in Ethiopian lore, was a monarch of unrivaled wealth and wisdom, renowned for her ingenious governance and formidable persona. Originating from her kingdom in what is now Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Yemen, she embarked on a legendary journey to Jerusalem to meet King Solomon. The meeting between Solomon and the Queen of Sheba symbolizes a notable union of two distinguished minds and epitomizes the merging of Ancient African and Israelite intellect. Enamored by the wisdom and beauty of this exquisite Ethiopic queen, Solomon is believed to have united with her, conceiving a son, Menelik.

The Queen of Sheba returned to her vast kingdom and gave birth to Menelik. Raised in the realms of Ethiopia, Menelik, upon reaching maturity, journeyed to Jerusalem to reconnect with his father. Entrusted with the Ark of the Covenant upon his departure, Menelik transported it back to Ethiopia, where it is believed to reside in secret to this day.

Kiya Tadele, the leader of the Ethiopian art collective Yatreda ያጥሬዳ, not only directed this compelling motion portrait but also embodied the legendary Queen herself while eight months pregnant. Kiya reprised her Queen of Sheba character from Yatreda’s inaugural artwork, minted in early 2021. Through this piece, Yatreda weaves a living homage to the region’s rich history and international cultural tapestry with influences from Ancient Africa, Israel, China, and India, inviting viewers to traverse the realms of Abyssinian legends and witness the harmonious interplay between the ancient and the enduring.

1/1 non-fungible token of single-channel video, 2024

• Premiered at Christie's 3.0 at Gateway Miami
• Featured in Ethiopia at the Crossroads, Toledo Museum of Art