About Me

I am Selam Tesfai and I live in Hamburg. Under the name SELLYSPREADLOVE I create three-dimensional sculptures.

My Eritrean roots, my personal history and my interest in different cultures shape my work. My parents were freedom fighters, and I was born during the war — this history is an important part of my identity.

I am self-taught and learned modelling entirely on my own. Creativity and curiosity have always been with me. In 2023 I discovered a special oil-based modelling clay and began experimenting. Without any formal art education I shaped my first three-dimensional figures — this became a passion and the path to international exhibitions.

My deep interest in indigenous peoples, in history, traditions and cultural expressions is reflected in my sculptures. Influences, experiences and my subconscious flow into every work.

My process is intuitive: before modelling I have a vision that often changes during creation. I follow my intuition rather than a fixed outcome — so every figure develops its own character.

I devote particular time to the facial expression. Gaze, personality and emotions are for me the strongest expressive power. I do not work from existing templates but shape individual inner images.

All my sculptures are unique — each one exists only once.