Welcome to this digital extension of the exhibition Christian Art and Faith in the Ethiopian Empire which was on display at 鶹ýƵվ between September and October 2022. It highlights the value, history and significance of the early artistic heritage of Ethiopia and Eritrea, by focusing in particular on the medium of wall paintings. Wall paintings contained in Ethiopian religious buildings are an important resource in the study of how Christian Ethiopians visualized and conceived sacred spaces, as well as how they addressed and engaged with local and non-local communities through art and other media. This display was co-curated by conservators working for the Ethiopian Heritage Fund, UK-based scholars from Ethiopia and Eritrea, and members of the ITIESE project. It underscores the fact that this remarkable heritage is currently endangered and in urgent need of protective measures to enable its longevity for future generations.
Contributors: Eyob Derillo (British Library); Girma Getahun (Independent scholar, Oxford); Jacopo Gnisci (鶹ýƵվ History of Art, ITIESE project); ä Abate Gobena (Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church); Jonas Karlsson (Universität Hamburg, ITIESE project); Mai Musié (Public Engagement Officer at Swansea University); Blair Priday (Ethiopian Heritage Fund); Lisa Shekede (Ethiopian Heritage Fund); Stephen Rickerby (Ethiopian Heritage Fund).
Design & Organisation: Bashar, Rakhee (鶹ýƵվ Design); Jacopo Gnisci (鶹ýƵվ History of Art, ITIESE project); Samantha Manton (鶹ýƵվ Culture); Sarah Okpokam (鶹ýƵվ Culture).
Student Assistants: Flavia dal Brollo (鶹ýƵվ History of Art), Katrina Khvesenya (鶹ýƵվ History of Art), Mathilde Mioche (鶹ýƵվ History of Art).
Website & Editing: Jacopo Gnisci (鶹ýƵվ History of Art, ITIESE project); Lisa Shekede (Ethiopian Heritage Fund).