Addis Arms x Artawi Gallery

Artawi Gallery and Addis Arms have partnered to create an art space, offering local artists a two-month exhibition dedicated. This initiative provides British Embassy community with access to local art and artists while giving local artists the opportunity to connect with an international audience. Each exhibition runs for two months, and whenever possible, an art talk with the artists will be organized.

Addis Street Photography Mixtape

Addis Street Photography mixtape , an exhibition that celebrates the eclectic range of styles found within Addis Ababa’s street photography scene. These talented photographers from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, present their unique perspectives on the city’s streets, each capturing its distinctive essence. Through their lenses, every photograph becomes a resonant tale, weaving its own narrative.

The city of Addis Ababa is undergoing rapid change—what you see today might not be there tomorrow. The fact that these photos were taken one or two years ago makes them even more relevant, serving as a way to remember what once was.

Hosted by the esteemed Artawi Gallery, this exhibition is a testament to the creative spirit of Ethiopian artists. Immerse yourself in the captivating sights, colors, and moments that define street photography in Addis Ababa.

Step into the vibrant city of Addis Ababa, Africa’s diplomatic capital and the fourth-largest city on the continent. At first glance, it may appear chaotic and congested, but beneath the surface lies a captivating blend of urban ambiance, rich traditions, and unparalleled history.

In this metropolis, a growing number of individuals have embraced street photography as a way to rediscover the wonder of everyday existence. The diverse styles that have emerged within this artistic genre are as vibrant as the life they aim to capture.

Eyoeal Kefyalew

Eyoeal Kefyalew is a photographer based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. From a very young age, Eyoeal has been fascinated with graphic design, and his passion for the art form has generated a keen interest in photography. His work mostly consists of street photography, which he uses to explore and record the place in which he resides, and documentary form, which he uses to delve into his own past and memories. In 2020, Eyoeal was selected as a participant in the Canon Stu- dent Development Program, and selected works were published as a book titled Encourage. His works have been exhibited at one of the leading photography festivals in Africa, Addis Foto Fest 2018, UPPA: East African Photography Award 2019, Melrose Gallery in Johannesburg in 2021,
and have been published in Out of the Phone: Mobile Street Photography book in 2017 and by the Turkish Photography Foundation in 2021, Fotosfer. He is also a nominee for the first edition of the Inspire Art Award at the Nitja Centre for Contemporary Art in Lillestrom, Norway.

Lingering II

These images explore the multiple layers found in our surroundings using light as a tool to identify the degree of visibility. The shadows in contrast with saturated images create a flattening in the images that encourages the viewer to consider a confrontation between the comfortable and the familiar with the dark and heavy elements of the environment. The swiftness of street photogra- phy allowed me to capture the bodies pronouncing gestures that recall intimacy in the conversa- tions the figures carry with each other.

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Awetahegn Ephrem

Awetahegn Ephrem is a photographer based in the city of Addis Ababa, his photographer’s journey began with a profound passion for capturing the world through the lens of a film camera from a young age, he found solace and inspiration in the art of film photography, music and movies.

Interestingly, his path took an unexpected turn when he decided to pursue a career in medicine. After completing medical school, he found himself with a unique opportunity to travel across the diverse landscapes and suburbs of Ethiopia. It was during these journeys that his love for photog- raphy truly flourished.

With a distinct vision, his images often focused on still photos and landscapes, deliberately devoid of human presence. His intention was to evoke a sense of nostalgia and liminal a spaces drawing viewers into a world where time stood still. Each frame allowing people to weave their own sto- ries and emotions into the scenes before them.

Currently, while pursuing his career as an emergency medicine resident at Black Lion Hospital, he continues to find solace and balance in the world of photography. Despite the demanding
nature of his work, he remains dedicated to his artistic passion, recognizing its power to heal and inspire. Through his images, he invites viewers to slow down to appreciate small wonders that surround us and to find solace in the extraordinary moments hidden with the folds of everyday existence.

The Liminal Moments of Everyday Life

This series of photographs captures the essence of liminal moments, those fleeting instances sus- pended between the ordinary and the extraordinary ,revealing the stories that unfold in the back- drop of our everyday lives .They celebrate the beauty found in the unnoticed, the ordinary, and the transient. Through their lens, we are encouraged to pause, reflect, and find meaning in the subtle details that weave the tapestry of our shared human experience.

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Amado Ergana

Amado is a mobile street photographer born and based in Addis Ababa. His photography mainly tames the light and shadow around vibrant Ethiopian street subjects. It fascinates him to watch these two creating abstractions to ordinary street scenery.

Shadows & Symphonies

This collection of shadow-tamed candid Addis Ababa street scenery photographs showcases the unfiltered beauty of the city’s streets. In these photographs, one can witness the vibrant tapestry of everyday life captured in a symphony of colors, shapes, and emotions. The inclusion of shadows in these images introduces a captivating dimension of depth and intrigue, contributing to a feeling of spontaneity and genuineness in the depicted scenes. This distinctive approach encouraes viewers to examine the photographs more closely and connect with them on a profounder level.

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Sehin Tewabe

Sehin Tewabe, a 26-year-old self-taught professional photographer based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, grew up with an innate passion for photography. Coming from a large family, she was constantly surrounded by joyous moments that held significance and deserved to be preserved. Sehin took it upon herself to capture these moments by grabbing any camera available, immortalizing them and nurturing her love for photography in the process. Through the use of her creative force and natural light, Sehin strives to capture the essence of reality and express her own sensibility.

As social media gained popularity, Sehin’s ambition was fueled, providing her with a platform to showcase her work to a wider audience. Although she does various genres of photography, she acknowledges that she has yet to find her niche and believes there is still much to explore.
Sehin has actively participated in various photography events, including art sales and international exhibitions. Her notable achievements were organizing and exhibiting her first solo exhibition, titled “Ashendiye in Lalibela,” as well as selling her work at an international women’s day art exhibition held in the British embassy. Additionally, she has showcased her photographs at prominent exhi- bitions such as Addis Foto Fest, one of Africa’s leading photography festivals, Capture Addis and recently participated in a two-person exhibition in Cologne, Germany which served as a turning point in her photography career.

She also co-founded the “Artawi Gallery” with photographer Abinet Teshome.

Addis Through my lens

In this photo collection, Sehin explores the bustling streets of Addis Ababa, allowing herself to be drawn to the play of lights and the allure of natural frames that guide her lens. She sees colors that dance before her eyes, and she embraces the opportunity to manipulate them, merging elements together to create captivating images that tell a story.

Her focus is on capturing the beauty of the mundane and the candid moments that unfold on the streets. She seeks to reveal the hidden beauty that can be found in the ordinary.

This photo collection is a testament to Sehin’s keen observation, artistic vision, and unwavering dedication to capturing the essence of the street.

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Beyond Borders

Harar, Lamu & Stone town Connected

Photo Exhibition by Abinet Teshome & Sehin Tewabe

This exhibition is a testament to the uncharted, unforeseen, and profound connection found across three ancient cities: Harar in Ethiopia, Lamu in Kenya, and Stone Town in Tanzania. Through the lenses of photographers Sehin Tewabe and Abinet Teshome, these cities come alive—not as far-off locations but as intertwined cultural threads that speak to a shared African heritage.

The journey began with no fixed agenda—just a desire to travel, explore, and immerse. What transpired was a cross-section of three nations, revealing striking parallels in language, religion, culture, and architecture. The unprompted discovery became the foundation for this exhibition, where stories of simplicity, beauty, and resilience are told through the daily lives of these cities.

This collection captures more than fleeting moments. In the mundane, Sehin and Abinet found poetry: the stillness of quiet streets, the vibrancy of colors on walls, and the symmetry that frames each shot. They uncovered stories that transcend borders—moments that highlight the shared humanity of these places. From Harar’s narrow alleys to Lamu’s dhow-filled waters and Stone Town’s intricately carved wooden doors, their work speaks of connections that run deeper than geography.

Despite challenges like weather, unfamiliar roads, and the absence of external funding, these photographers turned obstacles into opportunities. During their year-long journey, they captured over 5,000 images and collaborated with a friend for the final selection of photos for curation purposes with Eyoeal Kefyalew, refining the narrative into this selection—a story told in still frames, each carrying the spirit of the streets.

This exhibition represents a significant milestone for Artawi Gallery. A year after its opening, this marks the first duo exhibition by the gallery’s founders. At its heart, this exhibition is about reclaiming narratives. African stories are rarely told through African eyes, and this project serves as a powerful reminder of what happens when we take ownership of our own stories. Sehin and Abinet hope their work will inspire others to explore their own lands, celebrate their cultures, and find the beauty in what might otherwise be overlooked.

About the Photographers

Abinet Teshome

Abinet, a versatile photographer from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, discovered his passion for photography in 8th grade. Street photography quickly became his preferred medium for capturing the vibrant beauty of everyday life. With a talent and keen eye for seizing decisive moments, Abinet honed his skills through projects in various genres. He chose to pursue photography wholeheartedly, leaving university to study Film and Cinematography.

Today, Abinet continues to explore different genres while maintaining a deep connection to street photography, where he discovered his artistic voice. His talent has been recognized through exhibitions in Ethiopia, Eritrea, Italy, Norway, the UAE, and Germany. He received second place in the National Geography AFF portfolio review award and was selected for Lens Culture’s renowned collection, “Daily Street Photography Inspiration From Around The World.

Abinet also co-founded the “Artawi Gallery” with fellow photographer Sehin Tewabe, serving as a platform that connects artists with the art community in Ethiopia.

Sehin Tewabe

Sehin Tewabe is an award-winning Ethiopian photographer based in Addis Ababa and the co-founder of Artawi Gallery, Ethiopia’s first photography gallery. A self-taught artist with a background in accounting, she discovered her passion for photography while capturing the vibrant moments of her large family, transforming them into timeless images.

Specializing in portraiture, documentary, and commercial photography, Sehin uses natural light to evoke emotion and authenticity in her work. Over the years, she has participated in international exhibitions and events, earning recognition for her unique creative voice.

Motivated by her own challenges in finding spaces to exhibit her solo photography work, Sehin co-founded Artawi Gallery to support the local photography community and create opportunities for artists to showcase their work in Addis Ababa.

EXHIBITED PHOTOS