Addis Fine Art is pleased to present Michael Tsegaye, Addis Gezehagn and Wosene Worke Kosrof at the fifth edition of 1:54 Contemporary African Art Fair, taking place in Somerset House from 5 - 8 October 2017.
Michael Tsegaye
Michael Tsegaye (b.1977) in Addis Ababa, is a fine art photographer who has worked extensively in Ethiopia with a focus on detailing the nation’s story. Works from his series ‘Future Memories’ which will be on view at the fair, are also currently on show at the Walther Collection Museum, Germany, as part of the ‘Recent Histories : contemporary African photography and video art’ exhibition.
‘Future Memories’ , a remarkable body of work began in 2006. As a result of rapid urban development, old neighbourhoods across Addis Ababa were being levelled to make way for the latest high rises. This body of work captures and immortalises what will— or already has— faded into the past. The series provides a tour through the Addis Michael knew and grew up in, showing an unfamiliar visitor what he has experienced. It documents the past, acting as a potent visual memorial to the fragility of many physical communities in Addis Ababa.
Wosene Worke Kosrof
Born in 1950 in the Arat Kilo district of Addis Ababa, Wosene Worke Kosrof is an internationally acclaimed artist, with works in museums and private collections across the globe. Addis Fine Art are delighted to show four new and previously unseen works by the artist at 1:54, including Botanical Garden, 2017, Speaking of Coltrane, 2017 and Night of the Full Moon, 2017.
Wosene is well-known for his use of the script forms –fiedel- of his native Amharic as a core element in his paintings and sculptures. His use of script forms, often within an abstract context, creates a fluid and highly personal visual language. The influence of Jazz underlies his compositions, animating them with rhythmic movements and emboldening his masterful use of colour.
Addis Gezehagn
Addis Gezehagn (b.1978) in Addis Ababa, a long-time artistic presence in Addis Ababa, is known for portraying the multifaceted characteristics of the Addis Ababa’s residents by detailing the external facades of their homes. Many of Gezehagn’s works imagine cityscapes as towers or patchworks of colourful doors and gates, the architectural structures seeming to signify a natural, organic network of living spaces.
Addis Gezehagn’s works were the fastest selling in ‘Addis Calling II’ (March – May 2017), a recent group show at Addis Fine Art’s main gallery space in Ethiopia. Similarly, in this year’s Joburg Art Fair his works sold out. He is a brand new artist to the international market, and we are excited to exhibit a number of new works at 1:54.
About Addis Fine Art
Founded by Mesai Haileleul and Rakeb Sile, Addis Fine Art is a gallery specialising in contemporary African Art, with particular focus on art from Ethiopia and its diaspora. In January 2016, Addis Fine Art opened its main gallery space in the heart of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, launching an innovative programme of exhibitions, talks and events. In October 2016, the AFA Project Space was opened in London, to provide an additional international platform for the gallery’s programme. Addis Fine Art is quickly becoming the leading gallery in the region, and continues to strengthen its cross-continental presence at prominent art-fairs, supporting its artists in exhibitions around the globe.
Visitor information
1:54 Contemporary African Art Fair London 2017
Somerset House, London,
@154fair / www.1-54.com
Exhibition Hours
Wednesday 4 October Preview Day
Thursday 5 October 11 am - 7 pm
Friday 6 October 11 am - 7 pm
Saturday 7 October 11 am - 7 pm
Sunday 8 October 11 am - 6 pm