Decolonizing Ethiopian Art History: New Perspectives and Methodologies

Ethiopian art history remains largely Eurocentric in its narratives, with a focus on colonial-era artifacts and European influence. This study aims to decolonize these narratives by exploring contemporary Ethiopian artistic practices. This study employs ethnographic interviews with contemporary Ethiopian artists, archival research on recent artworks, and participatory observation at cultural events to gather data from a range of sources. The findings indicate that there is a significant shift towards integrating indigenous themes and materials in contemporary Ethiopian art. Specifically, over 70% of the artworks surveyed incorporate traditional motifs or materials. This study contributes by offering a nuanced understanding of contemporary Ethiopian artistic practices through alternative methodological approaches, challenging existing Eurocentric narratives. Future research should continue to explore how these indigenous elements are being utilised and interpreted in Ethiopian art, along with the socio-political contexts that inform them.