Artwork Description
Purchase The Empresses- H10-5 Taytu Betul Pop Street Artwork Limited Edition Giclee & Giltter Screenprint Print on Aluminum Sheet by Urban Graffiti Modern Artist Damien Hirst.
2022 Signed & Numbered In Verso on Label Limited Edition of 2814 Artwork Size 39.37x39.37 Giclee & Giltter Screenprint Print on Aluminum Sheet
Taytu Betul is a captivating composition filled with a thrilling sense of velocity and motion, inspired by the formidable Ethiopian Empress. When she married Emperor Menelik in 1889, Taytu Betul (c. 1851-1918) became the Empress of Ethiopia, known for her active leadership and unwavering opposition to imperialism. She staunchly refused any negotiations that would lead to the loss of Ethiopian territory. Taytu Betul also established Addis Ababa, which remains Ethiopia's capital city to this day. The artwork's focal point is the striking pairs of red and black wings that form the foundation of the composition - a spiral that originates at the center and expands outward, seemingly beyond the picture plane. The energy and movement generated in the piece reflect the fervor and commitment of Taytu Betul, who led her army to protect their borders. Complementing the central wings, an array of differently sized, colored, and patterned wings create a secondary layer that accentuates the main action. Taytu Betul distinguishes itself in the series with its spirited attempt to portray butterflies in their authentic, living state. The composition evokes an aerial perspective, enabling viewers to gaze down upon the swarm of butterflies as their momentum is captured in the spiral and the dynamic unfolding of the artwork.
