"I just paint my dreams and visions. I try to convey to people my positive beliefs, in hopes that they may see the world more positively. I create positive energy through color, symbols and lines that may awaken the Spirit, and perhaps give the power to achieve peace. The success of my paintings, and myself, is to change people's lives. If someone is touched spiritually by art, that is a success. I'm not excited by money. My happiness is when my paintings are felt deeply, stirring people to react. My art is deeply rooted in the sense of community, culture and history."

Yegizaw Michael was born in 1968 in Addis Ababa, where he grew up and studied for three years at the Addis Ababa of Fine Arts. In 1990, due to the worsening situation in Ethiopia, Yegizaw fled to exile in the neighboring country of Kenya, where he lived for the last 8 years and refined his artistic talents.

Yegizaw has exhibited his art in Eritrea, Kenya, Uganda, the U.S., and Austria, and has won numerous prizes and Awards. In 1995 he was named The Best Artist of the Year in Kenya. He also won Eritrea's Raimok National Art award for 1996 and 1997. His commissioned works include mosaics as well as mural paintings in Nairobi, Kenya, decorating banks, hotels, various institutions and residential places. Yegizaw has also done set designs for different theater groups.

In 1997 Yegizaw was the initiator, organizer and artist director of "Artists Against AIDS" national awareness campaign in Eritrea. Currently, he is an active member of Segen artist's group in Eritrea, and the "Theatre Workshop Productions" and "Papaya Art Center" in Nairobi, Kenya. He is also a founding member of International Developing Enterprises for artists (IDEA) based in Vienna, and a member of the organizing committee for "Art EXPO 2000 - Vienna Biennial 1999".