Lemma was a prolific and greatly respected Ethiopian artist He is the renowned painter of goat skin-canvas portraits of the 53 African leaders who founded the Organization of African Unity (OAU) in 1963.
Lemma was born in 1921 and recently passed away aged 92. He attended teachers training college then switched to join the Ethiopian air force, all the while developing his artistic skills until he was able to pursue art full time.
In 1983 he established an art gallery in Bishoftu, Lemma Guya Art Gallery. The plot had been granted to him by the late Emperor Haile Selassie. The gallery later upgraded to an African Arts and Training museum where potential African artists came for study there. Lemma preferred the gallery to be known as Lemma Guya Art gallery. Regular exhibitions were displayed and visited by people from all over the world and he had a strong local following.
Through his works of art, Lemma tried to teach students about their culture creating an inspiration about their culture and teaching them about their roots. He is undoubtedly Oromia’s most famous painter,whose works have had an impact on the lives of many..
