Addis' Art Scene: A New Exhibition Brings The Work Of 11 Ethiopian Artists From Addis Ababa To Nairobi

All images courtesy of Circle Art Agency

Addis Contemporary is a new group exhibition that brings the work of eleven contemporary Ethiopian artists from Addis Ababa to Nairobi. Curated by Ethiopian gallerist Mifta Zeleke, the show, which opens June 18th at the Circle Art Gallery in Nairobi, looks to offer an overview of the Addis art scene with work from art school grads and current residents.

Among those presenting a critical reflection of Addis life are Dawit Abebe, Yosef Lule, Tesfaye Bekele, Surafel Amare and his impressions from Banana Displays, Addis Gezahegn's nostalgic fantasies of Old Town and Ephrem Solomon's solemn social commentary. Other works in the show reflect more artistic preoccupations, including Dawit Adnew's obsession with patterns, Kerima Ahmed's portrayal of contorted forms, Nebiat Abebe's exploration of movement, light and balance, Dereje Demissie's search for the link between identity and landscape, and Tamrat Gezahegn's meditation on indigenous knowledge and practice.

"There is a large community of artists in Addis who persevere despite a still-limited art audience in the country," Zeleke writes in an essay on the show." Though most contemporary artists live and work in Addis, their work depicts what is happening all over Ethiopia; the turbulence caused by the dramatic development and transformation of the country. These changes are a source of inspiration for most of the artists here."

'Addis Contemporary' opens June 18th at Circle Art Gallery in Nairobi.