Ethiopians Artistes series II opens at Venezuelan embassy

By Tibebeselassie Tigabu

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia - Ethiopian artist seyoum Ayalew has opened his painting exhibition at the premises of the embassy of Bolivarian republic of Venezuela in the presence of ambassador Luis Mariano Mata, ambassador of the Bolivarian republic of Venezuela to Ethiopia and other invited guest on Wednesday March 26, 2008.

The exhibition by Seyoum Ayalew is the second of the Ethiopian artists Exhibition series organized by the embassy. The first exhibition presented the work of the Ethiopian painter Ayalew Assefa on June 21, 2007
Having graduated from Addis Ababa University School of Fine Art and design in 1991 the artist has presented different group exhibitions at Hilton hotel, BahirDar, Bulgaria embassy, Ireland embassy, Sheraton Addis and New York, and lalibela Roha.
Most of his paintings reflect religious ceremonies and practice of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church featuring aspects of Epiphany in Lalibela, prayer mass being led by priests of the Ethiopian orthodox church, the holy cross and meditations are some of the paintings that are being presented at the exhibition.

Seyoum’s inspiration for his spiritual work comes from two periods in his life one is from the tutelage from his mentor artist Mezgebu Tessema and the other is from his personal experiences working at the Ethiopian ministry of culture and tourism under the auspices of UNESCO restoring churches and monasteries in Lalibela, DebreBirhan Silassie and Asmara environs.
In this exhibition the artist presented 24 pieces which are priced from 2000-5000 birr [~ 200-500 USD] and this exhibition will be open to public for one month starting from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. •

March 28, 2008