Ethiopia, a country known for its rich cultural heritages and artistic traditions, has a vibrant and diverse art scene. In recent years, there has been a surge of talented women painters who have broken barriers and made significant contributions to the Ethiopian art community. Traditionally, the art scene in Ethiopia has been male-dominated, with women artists facing numerous challenges and barriers to recognition. However, in recent years, there has been a noticeable shift as women painters have emerged as powerful voices in the Ethiopian art landscape. They have defied societal expectations and shattered stereotypes through their exceptional talent and creativity. Women painters in Ethiopia bring a distinct artistic flair to their work, blending traditional Ethiopian art forms with contemporary influences. Many artists draw inspiration from the country’s rich cultural heritages, incorporating elements such as traditional clothing, rituals, and landscapes into their compositions. Additionally, themes of empowerment, identity, and social issues often feature prominently in their artwork, reflecting the challenges and triumphs faced by Ethiopian women.
Several influential women painters have made their mark in Ethiopia’s art scene. One such artist is Sinafekesh Zeleke Women’s Painters and Sculptors Association President, whose vibrant and colourful paintings capture the essence of Ethiopian life, often focusing on rural communities.
The success of women painters in Ethiopia extends beyond their artistic achievements. By challenging societal norms and pursuing their passion, these artists have become role models for aspiring painters, especially young women. Their success stories inspire others to pursue their dreams despite societal obstacles, fostering a more inclusive and diverse art community.
The talent and contributions of women painters in Ethiopia have gained recognition both locally and internationally. Their artwork has been exhibited in renowned galleries and museums, not only in Ethiopia but also around the world. This recognition has not only elevated the status of Ethiopian art but has also provided a platform for these artists to share their unique perspectives and narratives with a global audience
Known as one of the pioneer female painters in Ethiopia, Sinafekesh has been an inspiration to many young women with the desire to pursue their dream of becoming artists. She fell in love with painting and drawing at a very young age.
It is one thing to marry paint, brush and canvas to create work of art that inspires audience, but it is quite another for a woman to become a successful example in a depriving environment. But not for Sinafekesh, who is an accomplished painter and a pioneering female artist.
While describing the ups and downs of being an artist, especially female artist who strives in a developing country, Sinafekesh says each and every career has its own ups and downs. However, for a female painter the road is much difficult. She has to go through misleading social norms, difficult motherhood or raise children in difficult situations. “Apart from raising children and leading my family, I have to work at an office. On the other hand, the art of painting requires concentration, peace and serenity. These are the values of my career which are very difficult to find because of the family responsibilities and the office job,” said Sinafikish.
Meanwhile, the artist strongly believes that, family responsibilities, wrong societal perceptions about women could be visible ups and downs for female artists but they are also the pathways to a successful career.
She says there were different techniques that she used from one year to another to overcome different ups and down and accomplish several works of art and exhibitions.
Several artists could be inspired by several phenomenon, incidents or situations or imaginations but would also stick with some kind of style of genre to convey a message, according to Sinafikish. She also says “Ideas may be what we see, hear, what we admire or from our imaginary thoughts. Our messages differ based on the specific period of time, reality or imaginations we lived in. But in order to convey the messages, one painter may use the realistic or the ways of abstract painting. That also works for me.”
The Ethiopia Herald has also asked Sinafikish if she has preferences between individual and group exhibitions when she decided to stage here works of painting. She would simply replay that she preferred individual exhibitions for her own specific reason. “Except few group exhibitions that I participated in, I always choose to display my paintings in my own individual exhibitions. That is because I don’t like other people’s ideas to limit mine. In another expression I don’t want to be bound by other painters’ styles, thoughts, philosophies or ways of painting”.
Somehow, Sinafikish wouldn’t keep herself from spreading her knowledge and wisdom of art. She travels to different regional cities (towns) and universities to hold her own voluntary individual exhibitions to raise awareness about the art of modern paining.
Even though the parental responsibilities are still intact (unavoidable), she had left the office job and became a fulltime paint artist and exhibitionist traveling to different parts of the country.
She says the reason why or the motive that led her to traveling and staging exhibitions in the countryside resides in raising awareness about the art of painting to farmers or local residents of a certain town or university. But she also admitted that the local people have never lived without art in their cultures and daily lives. “Our societies for long lived by melting and crafting iron, doing pottery and weaving, mixing paints and drawing or painting. But my aim is to raise more awareness about modern ways of painting art,” she stressed.
Speaking of the comments that she receives from most of the exhibition audiences, Sinafikish says they are mostly about how tough it would be to be a successful female paint artist, especially with all the parental burdens as a mother. “However, like I said earlier family responsibilities as well as other social misconceptions can only be inspirations for any artist who knows what she/ he is doing!” says the painter.
In her humble opinion Sinafikish wouldn’t deny that she, to some extent, agrees with the idea that this world is a world of men. She notes that the world to some extent is tough for young especially female artists. “But it’s the tough road that helps make a successful artist. Therefore, young female painters should always keep themselves committed to the career and work for the sake of it not money. They have to go through all the ups and downs with full passion for art”.
About the current level of stage that the Ethiopian modern art is standing, Sinafikish does not believe that it is on its golden age but there are much inspiring ideas, philosophies emerging through encouraging new works of art.
BY NAOL GIRMA
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 8 MARCH 2024
