About Us - St George Gallery Ethiopia and St George Gallery USA
In 1990 Ms Saba Alene opened Ethiopia’s first art gallery, St. George Interior Decoration and Art Gallery, and since then the Gallery has become one of the show-pieces of Addis Ababa. Ms Alene designs all her own furniture, which is hand-crafted on the Gallery premises under her direct supervision. Ms Alene’s furniture and object d’art all reflect Ethiopian themes, culture and heritage have been exported throughout Europe and North America.
In recognition of Ms Alene’s contribution to the preservation and promotion of Ethiopian culture and heritage, she was presented the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Special Gold Medal Award by the Ethiopian President, H.E. President Girma, in February 2005.
St George Gallery of Ethiopia has recently opened a new Gallery in Old Town, Alexandria, Virginia at 105 North Alfred Street. Like the original St. George in Addis Ababa, the Alexandria St George Gallery features the very best in Ethiopian furniture, paintings, crafts, antiques, jewelry and much, much more.
The Gallery also has paintings from some of Ethiopia’s leading artists as well as more traditional Ethiopian paintings on parchment or wood. Works on display at the Gallery include paintings by leading Ethiopian artists like Samuel Sharew, Zeriun Yetimgeta, Tadese Mesfin, Ayele Assef, Marta Mengestu and Daniel Taye.
Among the antiques available are the striking “Jimma Chairs”, large chairs often over 3 feet in diameter carved from a single piece of wood, wooden and leather chairs and sofas, coffee tables, and three-legged chairs and stools. Smaller antique items include a large collection of head rests, drums, wooden camel bells, baskets and bowls.
Designer jewelry at St. George Gallery includes a wide selection of Ethiopian silver necklaces as well as unique Ethiopia silver bracelets and anklets. The Ethiopian silver necklaces are specifically designed and made for St George Gallery by JB Designs and features both traditional and contemporary designs.
In addition, St George has a unique collection of antique Ethiopian silver neck crosses and hand crosses, including the famous Axum, Gonder, and Lalibela designs.
Ethiopia has a long tradition of weaving and pottery and the Gallery has wide selection of hand-woven pillow cases, shawls, runners, and placemat and napkin sets. Pottery pieces are made by Ethiopian women craftspeople and Ms Alene was one of the very first entrepreneurs in Ethiopia to specifically promote and assist this very disadvantaged group.
St George’s mission is to promote and encourage Ethiopian arts and crafts and the artists and crafts people that produce these wonderful paintings, furniture, and decorative items.
“She (Saba Alene) is the first individual to have recognized the tremendous void in the promotions of art and artists by the private sector and to open a private gallery in Ethiopia.” – The Addis Tribune
Numerous artists and traditional artisans have had local and international exposure and have benefited materially and artistically from their close association with the gallery.” – The Reporter
