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MESAI HAILELEUL
Addis Art was inspired
by Mesai Haileleul's passion for the art of his
beloved country Ethiopia. The genesis of the project
was Mesai's
introduction to the work of one contemporary Ethiopian
artist, Shiferaw
Girma. He was so moved by one particular painting (see
photo), that he kept
going back to it again and again, and he became intrigued
with Shiferaw's
background and inspiration. Through a very good friend,
Mr. Fekade
Fantahoun, who resides in Addis Ababa, Mesai was introduced
to Shiferaw and
other artists, thus opening the door to the exciting
world of contemporary
Ethiopian art.
 On subsequent visits to Ethiopia,
Mesai sought out other contemporary
artists and, to his delight, met many highly talented
and creative
individuals who-inspired by the freedom of expression
that flourished in
post-Marxist times-were part of Ethiopia's cultural
renaissance. He saw the
need to connect these artists with the large Ethiopian
diaspora living in
the United States and elsewhere. He became determined
to bring the work of
these artists to a broader audience.
Mesai realized that the best exhibition venues were
in locations with great
concentrations of expatriate Ethiopians. With the help
and good will of
WorldSpace-a Washington, D.C.-based satellite radio
company that offered its
lobby as exhibition space for African artists-he mounted
his first show. It
featured prominent Ethiopian contemporary artist, Lulseged
Retta. His next
two shows, in Oakland and Los Angeles, California,
displayed the work of
Shiferaw Girma. Beyond the cultural and aesthetic experiences
they provided,
these exhibitions were a new way of bringing people
together for an
uplifting and positive purpose, while, at the same
time, supporting
Ethiopians back home.
This web site is an extension of Mesai's mission:
To share the work of
Ethiopian artists with the world. It is intended as
a means by which
Ethiopian artists can overcome barriers, both economic
and geographic, to
show their work. The web site will enable anyone wishing
to see the
magnificent creations of Ethiopian artists to browse
through catalogues of
their work, to learn about them, and to find exhibitions
to attend. Soon,
Ethiopian artists will be able to submit work for consideration
directly
through this site and thus be guaranteed an audience
for their work, as well
as a connection to those interested in purchasing art.
For most of these
artists, the expense of mounting a show in the United
States is
prohibitively expensive. Perhaps this virtual cyber-gallery
can function as
a viable alternative to a physical space. It is Mesai's
wish that as many
people as possible are exposed to the work of the wonderful
artists working
in Ethiopia today. The public's interest and support
may make actual
exhibitions possible in the future, while sustaining
the creativity of the
artists in the present. |
