This exhibit is sponsored by the Leighton Ford Initiative in Theology, the Arts, and Gospel Witness.

Join us at Gordon-Conwell—Charlotte to view this season’s new art exhibit, Sacred Art of Ethiopia: Ancient Traditions and Contemporary Icons, a collection by contemporary Ethiopian folk artisans who use time-honored techniques and iconographic motifs.

Charlotte Campus Hours
Monday–Friday: 9:00 a.m.—4:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m.—2:00 p.m.

About the Exhibit
Christianity has a long and venerable history in Ethiopia. In the fourth century, Christianity was proclaimed the official faith of the Ethiopian Aksumite Kingdom. Located at the meeting point of three continents on the Horn of Africa, the country developed a richly diverse culture, drawing on Egyptian, African, Byzantine, Arabic-Islamic, and European art to create a style of Ethiopian Orthodox sacred imagery unique in Christendom.

These pieces were created on leather as modern variations on historic illuminated manuscripts. They depict the life of Christ from the annunciation of his birth to his ascension into heaven, as well as processionals of choristers and priests. Some images include titles in Ge’ez, the ancient language of the Ethiopian Church, and in modern-day Amharic. None of the works are signed, but the hand of individual artists can be recognized in border decorations and distinctive styles of image-making. Overall, these anonymous artists work in the styles of the church schools where they train, continuing an art form rooted in illuminated manuscript painting while adding their own touches.

There are several distinctive features of Ethiopian Christianity expressed in its sacred art. Ethiopians consider themselves to be direct descendants of the Children of Israel through the Emperor Menelik, a son of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, who, according to tradition, brought the Ark of the Covenant from Jerusalem to Ethiopia. All churches have a tabot, a wooden box containing a stone slab, representing the Ark, which is carried in processions. The Trinity in Ethiopian sacred art is traditionally presented as three identical figures seated on one throne, often with a seamless garment representing the unity of the Godhead.

According to Ethiopian author Tim Bascom, “to learn about the history of Ethiopian icon-making is to learn about the history of the entire nation.”