Martha Woldu is an Eritrean artist based in Beijing, China, originally from Asmara, Eritrea. A versatile creator, she is a painter, sculptor, and tattoo artist whose work blends realism and abstraction to form a distinctive visual language. Through portraiture, she explores identity, heritage, and the human experience, crafting pieces that transcend physical likeness to capture the deeper essence of her subjects.
Martha studied at China Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA) from 2004 to 2008, refining her artistic techniques and expanding her creative vision. She has exhibited her work internationally, beginning with a nationwide tour in Eritrea alongside her mother, artist Terhas Iyasu. Her global presence continued with exhibitions in Finland, Asmara, and multiple group and solo shows in Beijing, including her most recent solo exhibition in 2024. Her father-daughter exhibitions further highlight the artistic legacy she carries forward.
Her work is rooted in empathy and authenticity, particularly in her portraiture. She captures ethnic identity with richness and depth, using fabric to add texture and dimension, reinforcing themes of culture and individuality. This tactile quality invites viewers to engage beyond sight, immersing them in the layered complexity of her compositions.
Martha embraces a textured style that blends realism and abstraction. She avoids strict photorealism, instead using bold colors, expressive brushstrokes, and mixed media to create emotionally resonant narratives. Her innovative use of materials plays a crucial role in storytelling, weaving together themes of identity, migration, and memory.
She is also the founder and host of Sip and Dip events in Beijing, where she fosters a creative community by bringing people together to paint in a relaxed, social setting.
Throughout her career, Martha has received significant recognition for her contributions to the arts. In 2000, she was awarded Best National Student Artist by the president of Eritrea, Isaias Afwerki. She won Eritrea’s National Post Competition in 2001, designing a commemorative stamp for the country’s national day, and in 2002, she was a selected winner of the Grafinova Worldwide Competition for Young Artists. Her artistic influence extends into diplomacy—between 2003 and 2013, she designed multiple commemorative stamps honoring the 10th and 20th anniversaries of China-Eritrea diplomatic relations, with her designs still in use today in Eritrean government offices and post offices. In 2009, she received the Messenger of Art on Peace Award, recognizing her role in promoting art as a tool for cultural dialogue.
Martha’s paintings are more than visual representations—they are narratives that bridge past and present, tradition and modernity. Through her work, whether on canvas, in sculpture, or on skin, she celebrates identity, diversity, and artistic expression, leaving an indelible mark on the global art scene.