Ethiopia: An exhibition entitled “Konjit and Mickael” launched at Alliance Ethio-Françise

By Aref Addis J.

An exhibition entitled “Konjit and Mickael” featuring the works Paris-based Ethiopian artist Mickael Bethe Selassie and the Addis-based installation artist, Konjit Syoum is being displayed at Alliance Ethio-Françise starting from April 12.

Michael presents 29 works which are all made of papier-mâché, a light-weight and durable media. The works span a period of six years and a number of them were done only last month when the artist was preparing to come to Ethiopia for the exhibition. Michael says his works are ecologically sensitive and thay are all done by recycling used paper (old newspapers, discarded match boxes). Images of children, women and gentlemen recur again and again in his work, which are done in small format acrylic on paper. Human figure are depicted in loud colors with various human expression of happiness, sadness, anger, fear.

Mickael who has been living and working in Paris for over 39 years, had his first solo show in Ethiopia in 1993 at the National Museum of Ethiopia. In 2006, he was invited by the Alliance to conduct an international papier-mâché workshop in collaboration Asni Gallery. Then in 2007, he returned again upon the request of Alliance to run another workshop for the Ketchene Women’s Potter’s Association.
For this exhibition, the artist is presenting his customary papier-mâché sculptures and relief’s as well as figures in pastel and acrylic on paper that evoke human psychological conditions.


Konjit Seyoum’s work takes an entirely different approach. Working with nonart materials such as cotton woo, Konjit creates and photographs enigmatic piece of works, which gave her pieces a decidedly female quality. Experimenting with weaving using meters of cotton thread and fluffy wool, Konjit seems to question traditional notions of what art is. Calling it ‘Moment in Time’, the artist says it is about her contemplations on life and those fleeting moments that she tries to capture in her whirls of spindles.



“I spend my time in silence cleaning, pulling, winding, rewinding, smothering my pains and sorrows, reminiscing moments of joys and most of all I attempt to observe the fleeting moments that come and go,” she explains.

Konjit founded ASNI Gallery, contemporary Ethiopia Art in 1996 and has organized and curated numerous exhibitions launching young and upcoming artists as well as featuring the Ethiopian Diaspora and international artists. She has also been involved in organizing local and international artist workshops and residencies as well as workshops and children’s artistic activities. Her latest cuaratol work brought together In June 2009, thirteen solo and one group show under the title Nexus at the Laphto, Art of Leisure building while it was still under construction.

Konjit has also been showing her own works since 2002 when she first participated in the group exhibitions entitled Portrait of the Artist that was organized by the Alliance Ethio-Françise.

The show will be on view through April 26.Both artists will take part in the upcoming ‘Ethiopian Week’ cultural and artistic event planned to be held in Paris in few months time.


Article by Aref Addis Journal