Addis Ababa 89plus Workshop

(b. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 1992) Emnet is a graduating architecture student who has been involved in many projects relating to urban design and sustainable architecture. She is interested in exploring and expanding the state of architecture, and discovering new platforms previously unknown to the study and practice of architecture and design.

(b. Debre Birhan, Ethiopia, 1992) Yohannes has developed a rich practice surrounding the notion of perceived reality. Separating reality from social constructs, Yohannes explores the calculated representations that human beings generate to create meaning and associate themselves with the world around them.

(b. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 1993) Orion is an architecture student interested in the way architecture shapes our world. While he is also passionate about electronics and digital media, Orion's main focus has been on developing environmentally aware designs and alternatives.

(b. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 1990) Antenhe is a visual artist working primarily in sculpture. His works reflect a foundation in conceptual art, exposing complex ideas through the use of minimalist object art.

(b. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 1990) Kirubel is a painter creating work relating to human behaviour, ego and interaction. Often using black and white paint and occasionally installation, Kirubel has built a practice on the complexities of human behaviour.

(b. Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, 1990) Henock is a sculptor whose practice is based in the mediums of bronze cast, fibreglass and welded metals. He creates figures of both influential figures and of anonymous persons.

(b. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 1990) Martha Haile has a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design. She is a teacher at the Ale School of Fine Arts and Design (ASFAD), where she enrolled for a Master Degree in Fine Art. Working in performance and experimental video, Haile’s artistic practice has expanded through projects dealing with representation of women’s bodies. 

(b. Addis Ababa, Ethopia, 1991) Tizta has been developing a practice of intimate and personal portraits. Her oil paintings are expressionistic in style, revealing the visceral emotions of her subjects. The dark, blended figures she paints personify love at its most passionate in hand with the despair that it brings.

(b. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 1996) Aron has only recently discovered photography but has quickly developed a passion for it. He photographs musicians and recently began doing portraiture of patriots. His work displays an astounding quality of professionalism and perspective.

(b. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 1990) Maheder has created a stunningly dramatic practice primarily of portraiture. Her goal is to document the vivid lives of those around her to create a visual narrative filled with the deep emotions of those she photographs.

(b. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 1992)

Yafet Daniel is an aspiring photographer and a degree student of media education. He started photography as a passion with his smart phone, but the talent inside of him grew and led him to start capturing the vibrant city life of Addis Ababa. Yafet believes that photography has the power to communicate and transmit the moments of his generation.

(b. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 1991) Temesgen is a technologist and entrepreneur. He is part of a growing movement to disrupt and push the Ethiopian tech industry, to provide better solutions for the challenges the country is facing. He is also developing an augmented engine focusing on virtual clothing, retail and personal closets, that allows users to try on different outfits while interacting.

(b. Hawassa, Ethiopia, 1993) Rebka is a painter who specialises in painting beautiful depictions of flowers. Rebka believes flowers represent the shifting of seasons in life and the changing capabilities of time.

The 89plus inaugural Addis Ababa workshop was hosted by Addis Ababa University in 4 kilo at the Alle School of Fine Arts & Design campus in August 2015.