Artawi Gallery: A Contemporary Art Space and Photography Hub

Artawi Gallery is a prominent artist-run initiative and contemporary art space located in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Established in late 2023 by photographers Abinet Teshome and Sehin Tewabe, the gallery was born from a need to provide a dedicated environment where photography is recognized as a serious contemporary art form. Operating out of a unique space in an under-construction building in the Bole area, Artawi Gallery has transformed a raw industrial setting into a vital hub for visual culture and experimentation. The gallery's mission extends beyond exhibitions to include long-term infrastructure and education. Artawi Gallery features Ethiopia’s first dedicated photography book library, hosting a collection of donated international publications to bridge the resource gap for local artists. It also operates an Analog Film Public Lab, encouraging traditional techniques alongside modern visual storytelling. Through the Ethiopian Photography Community project, the gallery offers structured mentorships, workshops, and photo walks to nurture a cohesive ecosystem for photographers in the region. In addition to its focus on photography, Artawi Gallery showcases painting, digital art, fashion, and murals. As an independent space, it prioritizes artistic conviction and community engagement over commercial interests, facilitating over a dozen exhibitions for local and international artists within its first two years. Artawi Gallery continues to activate unconventional spaces and collaborate with organizations to strengthen the foundations of visual art and photography in Ethiopia.