Building bridges through art

By Samson Haileyesus

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia- An exhibition by artists from Sudan and Ethiopia which was on show at the Addis Ababa Municipality closed this week.
The art exhibition which was sponsored by Sudan Airways featured over 96 works of the Nile Friends Group that comprises six Ethiopian artists and seven Sudanese artistes attempts at heightening focus on Ethio-Sudanese relations.

“We held this exhibition to build relationships between Sudan and Ethiopia. I think we [Sudan and Ethiopia] have one culture and civilization and the reason for holding the exhibition is to raise this issue to the world. We hope to share our ideas on art and build friendships between the artists from both countries”, said Abdel Rahman A. Shangal, head of the Sculpture department at the Khartoum School of fine arts.
According to Shangal,48, who have had exhibitions in Europe, the Middle East and other parts of the world his works are reflections on his interest in regards to Sudanese culture, civilization and humanities in general which often center around themes such as relief work, through abstract art and portraits.

“I love my origin, my culture, I do not hate new ideas but I do not see the need to adopt foreign ideas when there are abundant ideas from one’s culture”, said Shangal.
This is the third time the Nile Friends Group has cooperated to hold an exhibition. Last year a similar exhibition was held at the National theatre gallery in Addis Ababa followed by another one in Khartoum in June.
Alem teklu one of the six Ethiopian artists of the Nile Friends Group states that she first met members of the group during a workshop the group conducted with Ethiopian artists in Addis Ababa following the first exhibition in Addis Ababa.

Alem teklu, 32, who works on sculptures mostly made from paper mache states that being part of the group allows opportunities for sharing different experiences as well as opportunities to look into the art scene outside Ethiopia.
“I have always been interested in art since my childhood, but I could not really achieve much until adulthood. The perception with most families is that you need to prove yourself by first going to college, then become gainfully employed and then pursue your artistic dream. My first break started when I joined the Addis Ababa School of Fine Arts where through the guidance of my lecturers, I was able to achieve artistic exception through sculpting”, stated Alem in regards to her stint in sculpting.

Alem, however, states that despite much advance towards the perception of art, discouraging trends continue to hamper progress in regards to the issuing of visas for artists to travel and showcase their works.
Shangal has stated that the group is currently looking towards officially launching the group with legal and logistic issues pending. The group is also looking towards incorporating other artists from the region such as Eritrea, Somalis and other nations to fully represent artists from the Nile Basin.

March 28, 2008