Design: St George Gallery Furniture Designs
A renovated a building in the heart of Old Town Alexandria, Virginia in the USA is home to the St George Gallery, a place which serves to bring the best in Ethiopian art; painting, craft, textiles, antiques, furniture, interior and personal accessories, to an American audience. St George Gallery USA is owned by Saba Alene, a renowned gallery owner in her home country Ethiopia; who opened Ethiopia’s first art gallery, St George Interior and Art Gallery in Addis Ababa in 1990.
[Image credit: Selam Group, Solomon and Sheba Side Table and Detail – St George Gallery]
Through her galleries, Saba has and is helping to bring Ethiopian artists and culture to international audiences. Whilst browsing the gallery website it was the design and detail of the furniture that held my attention. The furniture, made from hardwood, is a showcase of Ethiopian culture and tradition and features; historical and religious art, traditional stories and themes, symbols and motifs incorporated into contemporary designs.
[Image credit: Yanette Sofa – St George Gallery]
The furniture collections seen throughout both galleries are designed by Saba and are handcrafted on the premises of the St George Gallery in Addis Ababa by skilled artisans. Chests of drawers, coffee tables, chairs, side tables and more are produced across three main furniture collections: Endaye which features light and dark hand-rubbed leather and designs that are hand-carved into the wood. The second collection, Selam, also features designs hand-carved into the wood but this is combined with hand-painted traditional Ethiopian paintings and scenes. Traditional Ethiopian painting is made up of two main styles; the first is based on the style found in old churches, manuscripts and religious icons and tended to depict stories from the Bible. The second style of painting is based on folk art and is characterised by bright colours and two-dimensional figures with large eyes; this style is usually rendered on stretched parchment. Both painting styles give the Selam range is distinctive appearance. The third collection features a range of mixed designs. The furniture has a ‘collectibles’ quality about it, and all items designed by Saba are authenticated by a small-stylised version of her initials in Amharic, which is produced in Ethiopian silver and inserted into the wood.
Additional details:
For further information about St George Gallery visit: www.stgeorgeofethiopia.com
