An Epic Chronicle: ‘Renaissance’ of Ethiopian Contemporary Art (2005-2015)

   

  The history of art in Ethiopia goes back millennia as depicted in the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church paintings. Modern art in Ethiopia is pioneered by Artist Agegnehu Engida (Geberew, Aénd Béel… died of unknown causes in 1950, shortly after finishing the painting Twelve Donkeys). This was followed by Artist Ale Felege Selam’s painting and the modern art belongs to titans such as Maître Artist Afewerk Tekle (glass elimination), Gebre Kisrstos Desta (abstract), Alexander Skunder Boghossian  (magic scrolls) & Lulseged Retta (The coordinator of the Art of Ethiopia). Taddesse mamecha is a ‘drawing’ pio­neer. Other pioneers are Taddesse Mesfin, Worku Mamo, Abdulrahman Sherif, Desta Hagos, Taddesse Bekayneh & Worku Goshu - not necessarily in that order.

        Art can transform any experience into beauty, and by so doing transforms its horrors in such a way that they may be contemplated with enjoyment. Scho­penhauer believed that the forms of the uni­verse, like the eternal Pla­tonic forms, exist beyond the worlds of ex­perience, and that aesthetic satisfaction is achieved by contemplating them for their own sakes, as a means of escaping the painful world of daily experience. Fichte, Kant & Hegel are in a direct line of development. Schopen­hauer was influenced by Kant's view of disinterested contemplation. Nietzsche concurred that life is tragic, but thought that this should not preclude ac­ceptance of the tragic with joyous affirmation, the full reali­zation of which is art that con­fronts the terrors of the universe.

       True to these centennial philosophies, Art of Ethiopia has opened the doors to the world stage for young Ethiopian artists. Through the years, it has come of age in all possible dimensions. Forms and content of Art of Ethiopia have also expanded enormously. Though each has its particularities, yet, each year’s Art of Ethiopia encompasses oil paintings, watercolour compositions, sculptures, graphics, art on canvas, cotton, acrylic, crayon and charcoal art works. Mr. Antony Wade, General Manager of Sheraton Addis said, each year it is becoming more difficult to choose which works of art should be exhibited, as the population of talented artists is ever growing and the quality is continuously improving.

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