Capturing Culture and Community: Beniam Yetbarek's Artistic Journey
Photos by Victor Jones
Beniam Yetbarek recently visited The Day With Trae, hosted this week by Besa Gordon, to talk about the Art Walk at KOLORS and his activism through visual storytelling. Yetbarek is a digital media artist and manages his online portfolio, B.Y. Visuals.
Yetbarek is one of the first few Black artists to host Art Walk in Pioneer Square. The show opened on Thursday, June 6, and attracted over 200 attendees.
"A lot of people were telling me that maybe they're not aware of me, but they're aware of the work I do," Yetbarek said. "I hear stories of their own family members and their own journey. As artists, especially Black and Brown artists, we hold the responsibility when it comes to storytelling."
He started seeing a therapist around 2018. At that time, he was working full-time as an IT professional but felt miserable despite doing it for two years. It was one of the few times in his life when he wasn't actively serving others. After graduating college, he was trying to follow the conventional path of getting a job to make his parents proud, but it left him feeling unfulfilled.
His therapist advised him to find a hobby that would allow him to connect with people while also practicing his craft in solitude. He found this balance through photography.
"My mom was working as a photographer at the time, and I just kind of wanted to help out and not feel useless as we were starting the brand," Yetbarek said. "So I bought a camera to assist the team, and everything about work ethic and discipline just took off for me. I'm an artist first, photographer second."
He feels a strong calling to strive for more for himself, his people, and his community, which requires sacrifices.
When behind the lens, Yetbarek focuses on capturing moments authentically rather than staging them. He pays attention to small details that others might overlook, a natural inclination he has always possessed. His camera serves to highlight and amplify these observations, allowing him to capture raw emotions and everyday scenes with a sense of significance.
“Naturally, I've always been the guy that notices things that no one else notices, or just having a camera highlights them more,” Yetbarek said. "Right, but I like catching raw motions. I enjoy capturing children and people just doing their own thing. I want to document that to make everyday citizens or average things look monumental because that's how I see the world, to be honest.”
When starting out in photography and videography, Yetbarek advises newcomers to focus on developing their skills rather than buying expensive equipment. He emphasizes the importance of nurturing an eye for capturing shots and cultivating a genuine passion for the craft. Drawing inspiration from prominent black photographers like Gordon Parks, Ernest Withers, and Charles "Teenie" Harris, Yetbarek advocates for respecting the legacy of those who came before. He approaches his art with humility, striving to continuously learn and improve his techniques through dedicated practice and study.
Despite the artistic stereotype, Yetbarek views photography as a disciplined business.
"I'm very organized and militant in how I structure my day, manage my energy, and everything," Yetbarek said. "So when you combine that work ethic with discipline, over time, you start to separate yourself from your peers."
Yetbarek has an upcoming Artwalk at Kolor Studios where he will showcase images from his recent trip to Ethiopia. Born and raised in Seattle, Yetbarek felt a strong spiritual connection to his ancestral homeland and wanted to share this journey with his community.
The exhibit features 28 images accompanied by descriptions, offering viewers a glimpse into Ethiopian culture and his personal reflections. Visitors will receive a boarding pass bookmark with flight details symbolizing his journey, enhancing the immersive experience.
"Hopefully, you will feel welcome and leave inspired. I want people to leave my art walk not only with tangible gifts but also with intangible gifts. That's what I aim to showcase through all of my projects," Yetbarek said.
The the final installment of the ‘Black Art Exhibit’ series: “Beyond Borders: Journey to Tigray” is now open at Kolor Studios throughout June. We invite everyone to come down and visit. The first 40 visitors will receive a boarding pass bookmark.
Learn more about Beniam Yetbarek and his artistic portfolio at byvisualsproduction.com.
For more on local art walks in Seattle, tune into Besa on Back2Besa on FOX 13, Thursday at 8:15 am, and with Trae every weekday at 11 a.m. on all Converge Media platforms and The Day With Trae YouTube Channel.
