The subtitle of this blog is “Ethiopia and beyond”, but it seems that I have been doing a lot more beyond than within of late. The truth is that I haven’t, it just seems that way because you get the snippets and they are always the more interesting parts of my life and journeys. I love travel and that is what inspires me most to photograph – so it stands to reason that I don’t always photograph what has become the everyday for me.
I have been thinking a lot more about creativeness of late. And, recently I was privileged to be able to see some of the local Ethiopian artists work in Addis Ababa via a group day trip and a gallery exhibit. The range of styles and techniques used by Ethiopian artists is broad, and the subjects even broader.
There are some really wonderful art spaces around Addis Ababa too, like Lela Art Gallery (below). They were displaying work by Tibeba Terrfa, a commercial and contemporary artist.
An Addis Art Space
The work of painter Tibebe Terffa
A visit to the artist below saw an eclectic mix of art and design. He is an engineer by day, but his house that he shares with his mother and sister shows a very different creative side. Not only does he paint, he creates intricate designs on canvas using eggshells (as featured in the image below), collects and curates a growing collection of endemic Ethiopian insects, and creates a whole range of interesting objects by reusing items. It was a very interesting and engaging visit.
Local artist and some of his work
Wondwesson, a painter and philosopher (my own addition) lives in a small mud room in a compound with other family at the base of Entoto Mountain. His descriptions of the thought processes and philosophy behind his paintings were very insightful and deep. I could have looked at every painting and heard their story.
A Painter – Wondwesson, his art and his materials
The every day art of Ethiopia is also very colourful and interesting. The detail in these messob (traditional dining tables) shows great talent in weaving and design. The same thought can be found in the traditional clothing as well.
Messob detail and colour
Creativeness lives in us all.
Erin.
