Only 2 days left to see the exhibition “Adbar”, paintings by Ethiopian artist Robel Temesgen in his first solo exhibition in UK. It comprises a series of new paintings and works on paper inspired by the longstanding Ethiopian belief of adbar and its associated rituals. Art is a great way for students of Amharic to learn more about the culture and messages of the language.
The Amharic term “adbar” refers to the embodiment of protective spirits within various elements of the natural landscape, such as lakes, mountains, rocks or trees. Trees possessing adbar, for instance, are strictly protected and believed to act as a link between people and the spirit world. They can serve as shelter,
places of worship and meeting points around which to discuss community matters. Temesgen grew up in Dessie, north-east Ethiopia, where adbar was commonly practised.
The series includes over 20 works depicting shimmering imaginary landscapes in Temesgen’s characteristic symbolic, lyrical style. The works vary greatly in scale, with the largest paintings measuring over 5 metres in length. Suspended from the ceiling and presented as floating rolls of paper partially covering the floor, their appearance recalls Chinese scroll paintings or Ethiopian healing scrolls.
Robel Temesgen was born in 1987 in Ethiopia, received an MFA from Tromsø Academy of Contemporary Art, University of Tromsø, Norway in 2015, and a BFA with high distinction in Fine Art (Painting) from Addis Ababa University in 2010. He currently lives and works in Addis Ababa.
More information can be found on the Tiwani Contemporary website
The exhibition is at the Tiwani Contemporary Gallery (16 Little Portland Street, London, W1W 8BP) and is open Tuesday – Friday 11:00am-6:00pm, Saturday 12:00am-5:00pm. Admission Free.
Shared from the Alertlist of The Anglo-Ethiopian Society, a great resource for people wishing to learn Amharic in London or follow Ethiopian events.
Category Archives: Religion
“Heaven and Earth” documentary
A documentary film “Heaven & Earth”, which was directed by Mackonen Michael, was screened by SOAS, University of London, earlier this month. Ethiopian film and Amharic culture is very interesting to students learning Amharic in London.
You can watch the trailer or buy or rent the film here.
It tells and shows 1,000 years or more of Ethiopian monasteries, monastic culture and ecclesiastical education. It presents the development of indigenous Christianity in an African setting, showing modern worshippers carrying on the hopes and faith directly handed down from an ancient African civilization.
It was produced by Mack Films in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture of Ethiopia, UNESCO, Ethiopian Air Lines & SOAS.
Director Mackonen Michael is an award-winning journalist who has worked for the BBC World Service and has produced several documentary films and radio programmes about culture in Africa. Michael also won a prestigious British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) award for his radio documentary “Bridging the Gap” about the lives of immigrants in the UK. The film counters stereotypes that Africa as a dark continent in need of enlightenment by outside forces.
SOAS says it is the world’s leading institution for the study of Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
Learn Amharic UK teaches students from beginner to advanced Amharic language, mostly through evening classes in central London.