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Ethiopia Art and Artists - 2009 Exhibition Catalogue Addis Ababa Paintings
Art of Ethiopia ’09, edited by Lulseged Retta is a scarce exhibition catalogue documents the landmark Art of Ethiopia ’09 exhibition held at the Sheraton Addis Hotel in Addis Ababa in 2009, a pivotal moment in the international presentation of contemporary Ethiopian art. Produced to accompany the second annual Art of Ethiopia exhibition, the book captures a dynamic cross-section of artistic practice in Ethiopia at the beginning of the 21st century, bringing together established masters and emerging voices in a single, richly illustrated volume.
The catalogue features approximately 25–30 Ethiopian artists, with reproductions of their work alongside biographical notes and contextual commentary. Artists represented include Tadesse Belaineh, Worku Mammo, Ale Felege Selam, Abdurahman M. Sherif, Afewerk Tekle, Teshome Bekele, Yohannes Gedamu, Eshetu Tiruneh, Zerihun Yetmgeta, Desta Hagos, Bisrat Shibabaw, Mezgebu Tesema, Demessie Gurmu, Getahun Assefa, Lulseged Retta, Yosef Lule, Abaylew Assefa, Daniel Taye, Mathias Lulu, Dawit Abebe, Dereje Demissie, Kerima Ahmed, Werkeh Bezu, and Eskinder Maffi. Together, these artists reflect multiple generations and stylistic approaches, from figurative and narrative traditions to modernist and contemporary explorations shaped by local history and global influences.
Introductory texts situate the exhibition within Addis Ababa’s cultural life and highlight the role of the Sheraton Addis in supporting Ethiopian artists, including the establishment of the Sheraton Addis Art Endowment Fund. Forewords and essays reference the broader lineage of Ethiopian art, acknowledging influential figures such as Afewerk Tekle and the ongoing dialogue between tradition, identity, and modern expression. The catalogue serves not only as a record of a specific exhibition but also as a snapshot of Ethiopian visual culture at a moment of growing international visibility.
A valuable and increasingly hard-to-find reference for collectors of African art, scholars of modern and contemporary Ethiopian art, and anyone interested in Addis Ababa’s artistic scene, Art of Ethiopia ’09 stands as both a documentary record and a celebration of artistic diversity and continuity.
Publisher: Sheraton Addis (exhibition publication).
Date of publication: 2009.
Format: Oversized hardcover with slipcase, approximately 10 x 10 inches.
Pages: About 50 pages.
Condition: Tight and square binding. Clean pages with no readily visible underlining or writing.
ISBN: Not stated.
