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Black History Month with Eritrean Artists

Artist Michael Adonai presenting his art work

With more than 110 in the audience, the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy hosted Liberation Art - The Eritrean and African-American Experiences through the Painter’s Brush, on Thursday February 22, 2007, at the Eritro-German auditorium. Berhane Adonai and Michael Adonai displayed and discussed their art work which they categorized as liberation and struggle, cultural, environmental and social issues. The cultural art, according to the Adonai brothers, is similar to that of other African art because it depicts the sorrow, slavery, and struggle against colonialism and poverty.  

Elias Amare, a member of the Peace Building Centre for the Horn of Africa (PCHA) Asmara, gave a brief survey of African American art and the universality of art. He noted that African American artists transformed their harsh experience of slavery and segregation into beautiful works of art: paintings, music and the like. PCHA’s Amare spoke also of how African American art promoted the “Black is beautiful” ideal.  

During the art exhibition and artists’ talk, the American Center displayed a set of books by African Americans on civil rights issues.

Mr. McCarthy, acting PAO introduce Berhane and Michael Adonai

Books by African Americans on display