The alphabet of colors of teslem art

Drawing from astrology, religion and spirituality, the Ethiopian art form of telsem weaves together symbols, drawings and texts imbued with spiritual and philosophical meaning. Shaped over centuries by Ethiopia's sociopolitical and cultural histories, telsem, with its ancient inspirations and modern idioms, is used to address critical issues in the contemporary world such as climate disasters, war and poverty. Although it continues to be practiced, in the Western context telsem is often referred to as a “healing art” or “talismanic art”, a perspective that excludes it from many discussions of Modernism. This exhibition, challenges such a one-dimensional understanding of Modernism and offers us a rare insight into one of Ethiopia's most compelling artistic practices through the work of Henok Melkamzer. More than 100 canvases are on display as part of Henok's largest solo exhibition to date.