At first glance, the stainless-steel wire mesh sculptures seem almost like illusions, beckoning the question: “How in the world did he do that?”Raitman Art Galleries is proud to announce the arrival of Fekadu Mekasha, an artist creating magnificent photo-realistic portraits of celebrities and more using nothing but metal. Mekasha creates each wire mesh portrait sculpture freehand, in a subtractive performance, snipping the mesh with shears to capture the highlights and shadows of his subjects in impeccable detail. By choreographing the layers of wire mesh, then welding them together, Mekasha’s meticulous portraits are revealed. Based on a photographic reference of cultural icons, or one of a more personal nature, each Mekasha piece is a one of a kind sculpture. With his background as a professional welder, Mekasha first sculpted his figurative works in metal rebar. His quest to create in non-conventional materials led him to wire mesh, his preferred medium. Wire mesh allows Mekasha to work intimately with the material, allowing for hands on spontaneity and creative freedom is his art making process. Mekasha’s mastery of layering the metal in individually created planes, then spacing them apart to form the final image, provides perfect light and shadow in his works. The depth and dimension present in every piece provides the illusion that the art is moving as one walks past it, inviting interaction with his viewers. People are drawn in by the realism in Mekasha’s portraits. They are left mesmerized by his process and perfection, left searching for the drawing or photograph beneath the mesh only to discover in amazement that the mesh is the portrait. Mekasha was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopa. In 2004 he moved to the United States, settling in fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada. Each one of his portraits are original creations born out of the artistic freedom of Mekasha’s wholly unique process. Mekasha’s art pleases both realistic and abstract art lovers alike. He enjoys working on custom portraits and more in his unique medium. Be it your child, spouse, friend, favorite celebrity, car or iconic image, Mekasha has mastered his artform to the point that he can easily create a piece just for you.