Henok Melkamzer takes over the Sharjah Art Foundation with his spellbinding exhibition “Telsem Symbols and Imagery”. Until June 16, the art museum immerses itself in a fascinating plural universe combining religion, astrology, spirituality and Ethiopian telsem art. The contemporary artist reveals himself as the master of the house, drawing visitors into a captivating tangle of drawings, symbols and texts charged with spiritual and philosophical meaning.
“The key to reading the telsem, is to start from the center – the eyes are in the center – and work outwards. And each vine begins with a word or spiritual concept to describe the complex relationship between color and the alphabetic form of the telsem language.” With this note, Henok Melkamzer takes us on an immersive visual adventure. “Henok Melkamzer: Telsem Symbols and Imagery“, the Ethiopian artist’s first international solo exhibition, was organized by the Sharjah Art Foundation, in collaboration with the Africa Institute, the Global Studies University (GSU) and the Sharjah Museums Authority. It represents the artist’s largest visual representation to date, unveiling over 100 works on Ethiopian art, offering the public a rare insight into a distinctive and highly complex art form.
Ethiopian telsem art is a veritable artistic treasure trove, drawing its inspiration from diverse disciplines such as astrology, spirituality and religion, offering a discovery both impressive and enriching. These works bring together a profusion of texts and drawings charged with philosophical and spiritual symbolism, reflecting the socio-political and cultural history of Ethiopia through the ages. Henok Melkamzer uses this ancient art with finesse to address critical issues of the contemporary world, such as climate catastrophes, war and poverty.
Often perceived as a healing or talismanic art in the Western context, telsem is often relegated to an archaic role, far removed from discussions of modernism. Elizabeth Giorgis, curator of the exhibition, sets out to break down this reductive vision through the work of Henok Melkamzer. She offers a fresh look at one of Ethiopia’s most fascinating modernist artistic practices.
“Despite its aesthetic appeal and the fact that it continues to be practiced today, telsem is often characterized in Western settings as an archaic healing or talismanic art, a perspective that excludes it from many discussions of modernism. By presenting to the public the breathtaking work of Henok Melkamzer, a modern master of telsem, we aim to offer a more contemporary and nuanced view of this incredibly rich art form, placing it within the global conversations to which it belongs,” she asserts.
Adopting an innovative perspective-shifting approach, the exhibition “Henok Melkamzer: Telsem Symbols and Imagery” reveals a vast collection of paintings rich in intricate, multicolored patterns, blending vines, symbols, words and numbers to immerse the viewer in the communicative power of Ethiopian telsem art. The African artist’s visually arresting compositions are created using acrylic, canvas and traditional natural pigments, offering visitors the opportunity to explore the many facets of telsem in a contemporary context.
A master of his craft, Henok Melkamzer extends the use of this art form by marrying ancient influences with modern elements to examine and unravel the complex issues of the modern world. As a guest artist at the second Lahore Biennale and participant in the 2019 Africa Institute (GSU) conference on Ethiopia: Modern Nation – Ancient Roots, he has gained international acclaim for his work in preserving the telsem and its cultural heritage. Based in Addis Ababa, in a studio on Mount Entoto, he takes a keen interest in safeguarding telsem within his community, having himself learned the intricacies of the practice from his father and grandfather, both telsem healers.
The exhibition “Henok Melkamzer: Telsem Symbols and Imagery” offers a fascinating insight into the rich and complex world of Ethiopian Telsem art, explored with mastery and modernity by artist Henok Melkamzer. His striking works, blending tradition and modernity, open a door onto a deeply-rooted cultural heritage, while inviting us to reflect on contemporary challenges. An invitation to discovery, wonder and understanding of a unique and captivating art form.