Zelalem was born August 22,1974 in Addis Abeba and is a married father with two daughters and one son. A studio artist, he is a multi-faceted expert in several media including Painting, Drawing, Mosaic art, Sculpture and Stained Glass Art. He holds an advanced diploma in Painting, Sculpture and Graphics from Addis Ababa University School of Fine Art and Design (AAU SFAD) and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting from (AAU SFAD). He has taught art at several private schools, worked as graphic designer for media and participated in many solo and group exhibitions in Ethiopia such as GEBREKRISTOS  DESTA  MODERN  ART  MUSEUM; AFRICAN  IDENTITY ART  EXHIBITION at UNECA; FENDIKAART CENTER; Alliance Ethio-Francaise, Addis Abeba and British Council, Addis Abeba amongst many.