Artwork copyright Sultan Mohamed. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2016.

Coming Home, 2002

Sultan Mohamed
American Ethiopian (born 1962)

Location: Campbell Hill Elementary, Seattle

About the Artwork

Coming Home portrays three expressive figures in bold colors. The artist Sultan Mohamed created this painting after visiting a new immigrant family recently reunited after a long journey from Africa to their new home in America. He hoped to convey their closeness and "the bittersweet feeling of leaving one's own country mixed with the joy and ambivalence of arriving in a new place." The painting's style is influenced by traditional Ethiopian fresco art.

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Renton School District.

About the Artist

Seattle-based artist Sultan Mohamed grew up in Ethiopia. His work is influenced and inspired by traditional Ethiopian paintings and fresco art.
Mohamed is also a Seattle Public Schools middle school teacher of art and United States history. He has been involved for many years with the East African Arts and Cultural Association and SEED Seattle (SouthEast Effective Development), both in Seattle.