ABRO International Workshop March 2008

Ethiopia Wed 30-04-2008

ABRO International Workshop March 2008
By Maggie Otieno/ AfricanColours.com

The ABRO International workshop in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for two weeks has just concluded.

The theme of the workshop titled 'Embryo' was a symbol of a new beginning for Abro who have officially joined the Triangle Arts Trust. Konjit Seyoum, Coordinator Abro Workshop explains, “The Embryo idea came about during the planning of the workshop.

It is all about giving visual artists the chance to express their experience in finding oneself in a common womb where they can revisit their fantasy and feeling of being in the original home of mankind.”

The two week workshop was held at the scenic Asni Gallery located in the outskirts of Addis Ababa. The first of its kind, the workshop brought together 7 artists from Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Egypt, Zambia and 11 eleven artists from Ethiopia.

The workshop Open day was attended by among others the State Minister of Culture and Tourism H.E Ato Mohamouda Ahmed Gass, on the 26th April 2008.

The workshop provided an opportunity for exchange between the local and the regional artists in their different genres in a bid to facilitate possibilities for collaborations, experimentation and innovations of the creative process.

For many artists the idea of revisiting their fantasy was expressed in many mediums and through the diverse materials found within the workshop. The artworks varied from canvases dotted with bright colours and found materials, wood and metal twined together into a 3D work as well as papier mashe.

'This workshop has created an opportunity for me to challenge my creativity away from my studio' explains Mihret Kebede an Ethiopian artist.

Danda Jrolmejk, Co-ordinator Triangle Arts Trust, Africa, explains more 'It is an opportunity to create an atmosphere where artists are free with the materials around them, not necessarily to show a complete piece after the workshop, but to engage and interact with the environment and other artists in a bid to promote dialogue and exchange of ideas in the field of visual arts'.

The artist’s community welcomes Abro International workshop into the arts fraternity.

The Asni international workshop was generously supported by the Triangle Arts Trust, UK, assisted by Kuona Trust, Nairobi.