Elias Sime, a multifunctional crafter recognized for his alleviation models – – and another Ale graduate – – has proactively sought down a global community with his work. He was one of two specialists to win the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art Award last year, and he has been nominated for the Hugo Boss Prize at the Guggenheim Museum this year. He and keeper Meskerem Assegued founded the Zoma Contemporary Art Center (ZCAC) in Addis Ababa in 2002, and the pair created the Zoma Museum, a discreetly run exhibition hall and expressive area, last year. At Prime Minister Ahmed’s invitation, they also finished models for the Unity Park form garden inside the National Palace grounds in Addis Ababa.
Craftsmen, on the other hand, are now in a better position to share their style and tales with the rest of the world. A juvenile authority basis is also emerging as Ethiopia opens up. “We’ve been telling people, ‘You folks have a goldmine here, and you really want to pay attention,'” said Rakeb Sile, a fellow benefactor of Addis Fine Arts, which has exhibitions in both Addis and London, over the phone.
