Betelhem Makonnen (1976–2026) was an Ethiopian-born artist, educator, and curator based in Austin, Texas. Born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, she moved to the United States with her family at the age of 10.

Working across photography, video, text, and installation, Betelhem drew on personal experiences and daily observations to explore perception, memory, and place. Her artistic practice brought together anthropological, philosophical, and historical inquiries, reflecting an ongoing curiosity about how we experience and understand the world around us.

She held an MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and a BA in History and Literature of Africa/African Diaspora from the University of Texas at Austin. Her work was exhibited nationally and internationally, and she also served as part-time faculty at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC).