Mickaël Bethe-Selassié

Mickaël Bethe-Selassié (1951–2020) was an Ethiopian artist who was characterized by his works and colorful representations often made with large-scale papier-mâché. He is also recognized for works made with paint and reliefs.

Biography Mickaël Bethe-Selassié was born on 15 February 1951, in Dire Dawa, in a small village in eastern Ethiopia. He was the youngest of three brothers. When he was barely two years old in 1953, his father died, causing his mother to make the decision to move to the capital of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa. He lived in the capital at his grandparents' house where he spent a large part of his life where he studied until high school. He lived in France most of his life and this is where he worked after leaving Ethiopia. His mother, who worked at Menelik Hospital, died in 1974. During his stay in France, he had several moments of crisis when he was not clear about his interests, so he was forced to work in small jobs to be able to have some money. It was not until the age of thirty that he began to venture into the arts. Once he graduated in 1970, he decided to leave Ethiopia in search of gaining a better knowledge of fine arts. During his time at college, one of his interests were multiple branches of science, such as history, chemistry, or anthropology.

Art work The vast majority of Mickaël Bethe-Selassié's works are usually sold at auction but there are some works which are preserved in various prestigious institutions around the world. One of the places where it is possible to find samples of his work is the National Museum of African Art in Washington, DC. In addition, the impact of his works has been so great that they were even exhibited in 2011 at the SBK in Amsterdam.

Style Bethe-Selassié's works are distinguished by preserving irregular and organic shapes, in addition to having the mixture of multiple colors where details of Ethiopian culture can be appreciated. His work becomes related to the tradition of Jean Dubuffet and also to the characteristics of art brut. Much of his works are associated with these terms due to the simple but highly expressive forms that make them up. The representation of these range from the characterization of royalty, animals and even warriors.

The artist's creative process is heavily influenced by Ethiopian culture, particularly by Coptic paintings and the symbolism of the cross, which inspire his work. This piece is primarily crafted from paper mâché and painted on three sides. It features a face at the top and intricate details throughout the body, symbolizing aspects of Ethiopian culture through the depiction of small characters with unique shapes. The vibrant use of colors, including blue, red, and yellow, adds to the visual impact of the artwork.

Arche Croix et Totem Arche Croix et Totem is a sculpture, constructed from polychrome papier mâché and positioned atop a wooden grille, showcases an intricate architectural arch adorned with small windows and dual bases. Embedded within the composition are figurines portraying animals and characters characterized by cartoonish features. The color scheme exhibits a wide spectrum, prominently featuring red and green hues. Noteworthy inscriptions resembling newspaper elements, predominantly rendered in black paint, are observable on the sculpture's bases. The base itself is crafted from wood, contributing to the overall structure. The dimensions of the sculpture are as follows: Height: 365 cm, Width: 180 cm, Depth: 104 cm. This significant artwork has been displayed in esteemed museums such as the Halle Saint-Pierre in Paris and the Addis Ababa Museum in Ethiopia, contributing to its recognition within the artistic community.

Voyage Initiatique Voyage Initiatique is a sculpture created in 1994, made of paper mâché. It measures 64 x 58 x 35 1/2 inches and depicts two figurines on a cart, as if on an exploration journey. The sculpture features colors like orange, green, blue, and brown, giving it a vivid appearance. The title Voyage Initiatique refers to the initiation rituals young people undergo as they become adults. It also symbolizes the travels young Ethiopians make through different areas, both physical and psychological. This sculpture can be seen at the National Museum of African Art in Washington, D.C. 2007 "Univers Phénico-Sabéen", Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez. 2006 Huijs Basten Asbeck, Groenlo, Nederland. 2005/06 Espace Cosmopolis, Nantes Château des Carmes, La Flèche 2004 Maison des Sciences de l'Homme, Paris "abba Dia -Abbadia", Médiathèque François Mitterrand, Hendaye Asni gallery - Addis Abeba , Ethiopia 2002 Galerie de la Halle Saint Pierre, Paris Parnas Huis voor Kunst en Cultuur, Leeuwarden, Nederland 2000 Gallery Vromans, Amsterdam, Nederland 1999 "Het Magische Woud", Tropenmuseum, Amsterdam, Nederland 1998 "Tour de Planète", Commerzbank, Frankfurt, Deutschland Tour Abbatiale-Musée, Saint-Amand-Les Eaux 1997 Galerie Virus, Antwerpen, Belgique Kulturverein Zehntscheuer E.V, Rottenburg, Deutschland 1996 Galerie 2X20, Arnhem, Nederland Collégiale Saint -Pierre-Le-Puellier, Orléans De Stadshof Museum, Zwolle, Nederland 1995 "Living Paper", Dany Keller Gallery, Deutschland Musée des Beaux Arts de Chartres 1994 "The Sacred Forest, The October gallery, London Galerie la Lune en Parachute, Epinal Haus der Kulturen der Welt, Berlin, Deutschland 1993 "Croix et Totems", Halle Saint- Pierre, Paris Addis Abeba Museum, Ethiopie 1992 Afrika Cultural Center, Johannesburg, South Africa Galerie Loft, Windhoek, Namibia Centre Culturel franco-namibien Dany Keller gallery, Munich, Deutschland Ancien Musée des Automates, Paris 1989-91 Galerie Horloge, Paris 1987 Galerie Bonino, Rio de Janeiro, Brésil Galerie Mab, Salvador, Brésil Palais des Arts, Belo horizonte, Brésil 1986 "Printemps au Jardin", Paris 1985 Galerie la Licorne, Paris

Group exhibitions

Paris: l’Harmattan, 2009