Asheber Macharia

To some the visual arts are learned at great expense from formal institutions of higher learning.  To others the inspirations to produce beautiful works of art are innate.  Even if the native abilities are present, those talents and abilities require a degree of sharpening that only focused study and dedication to the craft can bring.  Asheber Macharia’s gift was made manifest in the early stages of his life, and his desire to hone and perfect his talents came early in life.  During his childhood, being an artist was not considered by many to be a popular career path towards making a decent living.  Yet, even while he watched his black and white television, he was able to capture the images he saw on the screen.  Art provided Marcharia (his signature name) the opportunity to live in a special world within the world he was living.  Asheber Macharia viewed his surrounding as one giant canvas ready to receive life as he felt and saw it. 

Asheber Macharia was born in July 22, 1951 in Detroit, Michigan to Sylvester James McCauley and Daisy Elizabeth McCauley.  His parents had thirteen children of which Asheber Macharia was the fifth child.  His birth name was Michael McCauley.  He legally changed his name to Asheber Macharia, an Ethiopian name meaning “creative vision” and “true friend,” respectively. Asheber Macharia is the nephew of Rosa Parks, the mother of the civil rights movements.  His father, Sylvester McCauley was Mrs. Rosa (McCauley) Parks’ only sibling.

Macharia received his Bachelors of Fine Arts Degree in Painting in 1978 from Wayne State University.  He also participated in correspondence courses in Ancient Egyptian Language / Hieroglyphics (University of Chicago) and Egyptologists (Temple University) from 1990 – 1998.  His love for children resulted in Macharia entering the Masters in Education and Teaching program through Marygrove College in 2001.

Macharia is a committed artist who devotes his time and energy in the creation of fine works of art.  Macharia subjects matters vary widely from landscapes, to historical scenes, to art influenced by Egyptian motifs, and painting that reflect general life and struggles in the United States.  Following the death of his aunt Rosa Parks, Macharia was motivated to dedicate several paintings in honor of his family entitled “The McCauley Series.”

Photo credit: Jeff Cancelosi