MY OIL COLOR PAINTING OF HAILE SELASSIE (Ras Tafari)

• When we think about Rastafari, we usually think of charismatic reggae master Bob Marley and his headful of swirling dreadlocks. Bob is definitely a Rastafari icon, however, there is another man at the heart of Jamaican movement. His name is Ras Tafari.

• Ras Tafari was Haile Selassie's birth name and was born on 23 July 1892. He was the Ethiopia's emperor from 1930 to 1974 and took the regal name "Haile Selassie I" when he was crowned. For Rastas, he is God (or Jah) incarnate - the redeeming Messiah.

• The Jamaicans began the Rastafaria movement and perceived Hails Selassie as a messianic figure who will lead a future golden age of eternal peace, righteousness, and prosperity.

After reading about Haile's biography and documentary, I was inspired to make a portrait of him. His desire and zeal to transform his country to a modernized economy and his ability to regain power from Italy after they invaded his country in 1935 is worth emulating.

The painting was done early this year within the period of three weeks and in the process of completion, two drawings were done as well. The work is currently in my studio.

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