Transitory Visions

Eyob in front of two works on Blueprint

This month a comprehensive show in four parts is presented at the renowned contemporary art space LeLa Gallery in Addis. Two of Ethiopia’s promising young artists, Ermias Mazengia and Eyob Kitaba, show a body of recent works under the title “Transitory”.

Ermias and Eyob have been friends for more than 20 years and work closely together. They are each other’s critics and share large parts of their lives and thoughts with each other. They have an abstract and experimental approach to the art of painting, and present playfulness with material, techniques and the reduction of forms. Their works feature no recurrent themes or subject matters, nor do they offer any given narratives. Instead a formalistic and deliberate play with dimensions, depth and texture dominates their artistic vocabulary.

The works of Eyob and Ermias compliment each other well, and exhibited together an interesting dynamics is created in the light and airy LeLa gallery. Galerist Lilly Sahle praises the two artists for their experimental and abstract approach, and compliments them both for experimenting with and exploring new dimensions, materials and techniques for this exhibition series.

Work by Ermias

The exhibition at LeLa gallery is creative, well-planned and challenge conventional and traditional art- and exhibition forms in Ethiopia. Ermias and Eyob’s brilliant abstract art-work in the creative set-up at is vibrant and dynamic, and serves as a fresh and daring touch to the somewhat conventional art scene in Addis Ababa. If you have not yet been, you should make a big X in your calendar this Saturday April 21 at 3pm, when the last group-show with Ermias and Eyob opens in the lovely cosy living room gallery of Lilly Sahle. Enjoy some of the best art around in the pleasant surroundings of the private gallery in Old Airport Area, tucked away from the noise and stress of the city. A perfect way to spend a Saturday afternoon in Addis!

Directions to the Gallery: LeLa Gallery is located in Old Airport on the China Embassy/Ghana Embassy/Swedish Clinic road. Follow the LeLa signs on the road. Open Tuesday – Sunday 10am – 6pm or by appointment. (Tel.: 0116535506)

NB! A detailed article with more works of the two artists will be featured in the next Diplomat Magazine, and posted on the blog later in May. So stop by the nearest drug-store on May 1st and get a copy of the Mag, or stay tuned on Addis Rumble.