Building access to photography knowledge in Ethiopia.
The Artawi Photography Book Library is an ongoing initiative aimed at building accessible educational resources for photographers in Ethiopia. What began as a small in-gallery reading corner has grown into a collective effort to create a dedicated photography library , one that supports learning, research, and artistic development
Why This Matters?
In Ethiopia, formal photography education remains limited, and most photographers are self-taught. While online platforms provide access to technical knowledge, they often lack depth in visual language, long-form storytelling, and critical engagement.
Photography books play a crucial role in shaping artistic vision. They offer a tangible way to study sequencing, narrative, and the evolution of photographic work. However, access to such materials locally is extremely limited due to high costs, foreign currency restrictions, and logistical barriers.
What We Do
Artawi provides free access to photography books during gallery hours, allowing artists, students, and the wider creative community to engage with physical works.
The collection continues to grow through international and local contributions.
Current Status
A growing collection of approximately 60+ photography books
Open access reading space within the gallery
Ongoing expansion through donations
Future Vision
Our goal is to establish Ethiopia’s first dedicated photography library , a permanent, structured space designed specifically for learning, research, and community engagement.
Get Involved
Donate photography books
Purchase and contribute books from our wishlist
Contribute financially toward specific titles
Share the initiative within your network
Book Wish list
1. A Way of Seeing - Helen Levitt
2. Afghanistan - Steve McCurry
3. ALBUMS - Jamel Shabazz
4. Annie Leibovitz at Work - Annie Leibovitz
5. Bad Weather, Good Photos
6. Back to Fort Scott - Gordon Parks
7. Beneath the Roses - Gregory Crewdson
8. CUBA - Elliott Erwitt
9. ELLIOTT ERWITT PERSONAL BEST
10. EXILES - KOUDELKA
11. Eye to Eye: Photographs by Vivian Maier
12. From These Hands: A Journey Along the Coffee Trail
13. How Photography Became Contemporary Art - Andy Grundberg
14. Humans of New York - Brandon Stanton
15. IMMEDIATE FAMILY - Sally Mann
16. In Our Time: The World as Seen by Magnum Photographers
17. In the Shadow of Mountains - Steve McCurry
18. India - Steve McCurry
19. Lens Culture Volume 1-4
20. Looking at Photographs - John Szarkowski
21. Luminance - Linda Connor
22. Magnum Contact Sheets - Kristen Lubben
23. Martin Parr: The Last Resort
24. National Geographic: The Photographers
25. Portraits - Steve McCurry
26. ROAD TO SEEING - DAN WINTERS
27. Ralph Eugene Meatyard - Eugenia Parry
28. South Southeast - Steve McCurry
29. Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative - Austin Kleon
30. Street Photography Now - Sophie Howarth and Stephen McLaren
31. Street Photography: A History in 100 Iconic Images
32. Steve McCurry: A Life in Pictures
33. Steve McCurry Untold: The Stories Behind the Photographs
34. The Decisive Moment - Henri Cartier-Bresson
35. The Great LIFE Photographers
36. The Iconic Photographs - Steve McCurry
37. The Negative - Ansel Adams
38. The Open Road: Photography and the American Road Trip
39. The Suffering of Light - Alex Webb
40. The Unguarded Moment - Steve McCurry
41. The Visual Toolbox: 60 Lessons for Stronger Photographs - David duChemin
42. TIME History’s Greatest Images: The World’s 100 Most Influential Photographs - Kelly Knauer and the Editors of TIME
43. Vivian Maier: A Photographer Found
44. Vivian Maier: Self-Portraits
45. Vivian Maier Developed: The Untold Story of the Photographer Nanny
46. Vivian Maier: Street Photographer
47. Vivian Maier: The Color Work
48. William Eggleston’s Guide
49. Women of Vision: National Geographic Photographers on Assignment - National Geographic
50. Nadav Kander - Jean Paul Tchang, Nadav Kander (photographer)
51. Camera Lucida - Roland Barthes, Richard Howard (translator)
52. The Year That Changed Our World - Agence France Presse
Books Already Donated
1. Magnum Contact Sheets - Kristen Lubben
2. Camera Lucida - Roland Barthes
3. The Visual Toolbox - David Duchemin
4. Steal Like an Artist - Austin Kleon
5. Humans of New York - Brandon Stanton
6. The Americans - Robert Frank
7. Albums - Jamel Shabazz
8. Immediate Family - Sally Mann
9. Street Photography Now - Sophie Howarth and Stephen McLaren
10.Women of Vision: National Geographic Photographers on Assignment - National Geographic
11.Ethiopia - Joey Lawrence
12.LONDON STREET CHRONICLES - INNER CHILD PLAYGROUND
13.MASTERS OF PHOTOGRAPHY APERTURE - PAUL STRAND
14.ANSEL ADAMS - The Negative - THE ANSEL ADAMS PHOTOGRAPHY SERIES 2
15.ANSEL ADAMS _ The Print - THE ANSEL ADAMS PHOTOGRAPHY SERIES 3
