Rakeb Sile: How much of Africa do people really want to know?
Rakeb Sile
Bandele Zuberi ©
In episode 3 of never before heard conversations from my archive, I speak with gallerist and co-founder of Addis Fine Art Rakeb Sile.
Addis Fine Art specialises in modern and contemporary art from the Horn of Africa and its diasporas. Along with co-founder Mesai Haileleul, Rakeb started the gallery to connect Ethiopian artists to the world and to spotlight underrepresented talent from the area.
We talk about finding your way. About how there are so few African gallerists who are from the same place as the artists they represent. As Rakeb says, ‘we have to do the work to dismantle that’.
One of things that struck me the most interviewing Rakeb is that our lives aren’t linear. It’s ok to pivot, to course correct, to start again. I’ve interviewed a number of people over the 4 seasons of this podcast and Rakeb is the first to say that she’s learnt more from her failures than her successes.
Image credits::
Amel Bashier, "Attachment" Courtesy the Artist and Addis Fine Art, © Matthieu Samadet Photography
Engdaye Lemma, "Heavenly Creatures" Courtesy the Artist and Addis Fine Art
Selome Muleta, "Immersion X" Courtesy the Artist and Addis Fine Art
Merikokeb Berhanu, "Untitled XCII" Courtesy the Artist and Addis Fine Art, Tex Andrews Photography
Guest: Rakeb Sile
Title: How much of Africa do people really want to know?
Music: Mereba, The Jungle is the Only Way Out
Links: Addis Fine Art Website & IG ; Rakeb Sile IG
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