Sime incorporates the refuse from consumer electronics, repurposing salvaged components such as circuits and keyboards to create abstract compositions. The materials he uses are sourced from the largest open-air market in Africa located in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, where Sime’s practice is based.
Sime is uncompromising in his method of constructing elaborate arrangements from ephemera. The artist braids used wires into roiling terrains with biomorphic features, transmuting discarded technology into a more enduring power source- art. The craftsmanship and seemingly-effortless universalism of the works re-frame the iniquitous global processes that have resulted in their formation. His work functions as a prism and kaleidoscope, on the one hand fearlessly aesthetic; on the other, a platform to confront challenging topics, which Sime proposes are not mutually exclusive goals.
Sime is uncompromising in his method of constructing elaborate arrangements from ephemera. The artist braids used wires into roiling terrains with biomorphic features, transmuting discarded technology into a more enduring power source- art. The craftsmanship and seemingly-effortless universalism of the works re-frame the iniquitous global processes that have resulted in their formation. His work functions as a prism and kaleidoscope, on the one hand fearlessly aesthetic; on the other, a platform to confront challenging topics, which Sime proposes are not mutually exclusive goals.
Artworks
Media
Highlights
Recommendations
Collections
Shows
Market position
CV
Media
Elias Sime Crafts a New Narrative with Reclaimed Technology, Saint Louis Art Museum, Currents 118
Shows
Market position
Sime is deeply involved in developing the Ethiopian art community and has established a research practice studying the ancient rituals of rural communities in the country. In 2002, he co-founded and designed the ZOMA Contemporary Art Center in Addis Ababa, working in cooperation with the founding director, curator and anthropologist Meskerem Assegued. His work has been exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY (US); the Studio Museum in Harlem, NY (US); and in 2009, a retrospective of his work travelled from the Santa Monica Museum of Art, CA (US), to the North Dakota Museum of Art, ND (US). A solo exhibition is currently on view at the Ruth and Elmer Wellin Museum of Art, Clinton, NY (US) until December 9, 2019.
Elias Sime’s work is included in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY (US); The Israel Museum, Jerusalem (IL); North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh, NC (US); Toledo Museum of Art, OH (US); Perez Museum of Art, Miami, FL (US); Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond, VA (US); Detroit Institute of Arts, MI (US); Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk, VA (US); North Dakota Museum of Art, ND (US); Newark Museum, NJ (US); Pizzuti Collection, Columbus, OH (US); Harn Museum of Art, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL (US); Hood Museum of Art, Dartmouth College, NH (US); Ruth and Elmer Wellin Museum of Art, Hamilton College, Clinton, NY (US); Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, Kansas City, MO (US); and the Carl and Marilynn Thoma Art Foundation, Santa Fe, NM (US).
Elias Sime’s work is included in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY (US); The Israel Museum, Jerusalem (IL); North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh, NC (US); Toledo Museum of Art, OH (US); Perez Museum of Art, Miami, FL (US); Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond, VA (US); Detroit Institute of Arts, MI (US); Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk, VA (US); North Dakota Museum of Art, ND (US); Newark Museum, NJ (US); Pizzuti Collection, Columbus, OH (US); Harn Museum of Art, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL (US); Hood Museum of Art, Dartmouth College, NH (US); Ruth and Elmer Wellin Museum of Art, Hamilton College, Clinton, NY (US); Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, Kansas City, MO (US); and the Carl and Marilynn Thoma Art Foundation, Santa Fe, NM (US).
CV
Born 1968 in Addis Ababa (ET)
Lives and works in Addis Ababa (ET)
Education
1990 Graphic Art from Addis Ababa University School of Fine Art and Design, Addis Ababa (ET)
Solo Exhibitions
2021 Tightrope, Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto (CA) [forthcoming]
2020 Tightrope, Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art in Kansas City, MO (US) [forthcoming]
Tightrope, Akron Art Museum in Akron, OH (US) [forthcoming]
2019 Tightrope, Ruth and Elmer Wellin Museum of Art, Hamilton College, Clinton, NY (US)
NOISELESS, James Cohan, New York (US)
ZOMA Museum, Addis Ababa (ET)
2018 Tightrope, GRIMM Frans Halsstraat, Amsterdam (NL)
2017 Elias Sime: Twisted & Hidden, James Cohan, New York, NY (US)
2015 Elias Sime, James Cohan, New York, NY (US)
2013 Tightrope, British Council, Goethe-Institute, Italian Cultural Institute and Alliance Ethio-Française, Adias Ababa
(ET)
2012 Eye of the Needle, Eye of the Heart, North Dakota Museum of Art, Grand Forks, ND (US)
2011 Ants and Ceramicists, British Council, Goethe-Institute, Italian Cultural Institute and Alliance Ethio-Française,
Addis Ababa,
(ET)
Tot, DUVE, Berlin (DE)
2010 Oedipus-Rex Opera, Sydney Opera House, Sydney (AUS)
2009 Oedipus-Rex Opera, Walt Disney concert hall, California, CA (US)
Eye of the Needle, Eye of the Heart, Santa Monica Museum of Art, California, CA (US)
2008 What is Love?, Alliance Ethio-française, Adias Ababa, (ET)
2006 Metamorphosis, Public Mosaic sponsored by European Union & Zoma Contemporary Art Center, Addis Ababa (ET)
GOTA Tarat-Tarat, Alliance Ethio-française, Addis Ababa (ET)
2004 Min Neber, Italian Cultural Institute, Addis Ababa (ET)
2002 Retrospect part 1 part of Giziawi #1, in Jara Park, Addis Ababa (ET)
1999 Hilton Hotel, Addis Ababa (ET)
1998 Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa (ET)
1996 Economic Commission for Africa, Addis Ababa (ET)
1995 Organization of African Unity, Addis Ababa (ET)
1993 Alliance Ethio-française, Addis Ababa (ET)
Selected Group Exhibitions
2018 I Was Raised on the Internet, Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, Chicago, IL (US)
Grids, James Cohan, New York, NY (US)
2017 Abstract Minded: Works by Six Contemporary African Artists, N’Namidi Center for Contemporary Art, Detroit, MI
(US)
Innovative Approaches, Honored Traditions: the Ruth and Elmer Wellin Museum of Art at Five Years, Highlights
from the
Permanent Collection, the Ruth and Elmer Wellin Museum of Art, Clinton, NY (US)
2016 The Distance of a Day: New in Contemporary Art, The Israel Museum, Jerusalem (IL)
2015 Passing Leap, Hauser & Wirth, New York, NY (US)
Group Exhibition, Brennan & Griffin, New York, NY (US)
2010 Stitches,The Armory Center for the Arts, Pasadena, CA (US)
2009 Täarät-Täarät, Haunch of Venison, London (UK)
2008 The Essential Art of African Textiles: Design Without End, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY (US)
Flow, Studio Museum in Harlem, New York, NY (US)
2006 Green Flame, Peter Sellars’s New Crowned Hope Festival, Vienna (AT)
GOETHE INSTITUT,- Addis Wubet & Zoma Contemporary Art Center, Addis Ababa (ET)
2005 Hidden Talent, European Union & Zoma Contemporary Art Center, Addis Ababa (ET)
Addis Abeba Zare, Addis Ababa University Fine Art and Design School, Addis Ababa (ET)
2004 Dak’Art Biennale 2004, 6th International Contemporary African Art, Dakar (SN)
2003 Min Neber, Italian Cultural Institute, Addis Ababa (ET)
2002 Giziawi #1, Meskel Square, Addis Ababa (ET)
2000 Italian Cultural Institute, Addis Ababa (ET)
1999 Alliance Ethio-française, Addis Ababa (ET)
1997 Goshu Gallery, Addis Ababa (ET)
Joint Exhibition of Dutch-Ethiopian Artists in Holland and in Addis Ababa, Fine Arts School, Addis Ababa (ET)
1995 National Museum, Addis Ababa (ET)
Selected Collections
Chrysler Museum of Arts, Norfolk, VA (US)
Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit, MI (US)
Hood Museum of Art, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH (US)
Harn Museum of Art, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL (US)
Israel Museum, Jerusalem, Israel (IL)
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, Kansas City, MO (US)
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY (US)
N’Namdi Center for Contemporary Art, Detroit, MI (US)
Newark Museum, Newark, NJ (US)
North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh, NC (US)
North Dakota Museum of Art, Grand Forks, ND (US)
Perez Museum of Art, Miami, FL (US)
Pizzuti Collection, Columbus, OH (US)
Carl and Marilynn Thoma Art Foundation, Santa Fe, NM (US)
Toledo Museum of Art, OH (US)
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond, VA (US)
Ruth and Elmer Wellin Museum of Art, Hamilton College, Clinton, NY (US)
Lives and works in Addis Ababa (ET)
Education
1990 Graphic Art from Addis Ababa University School of Fine Art and Design, Addis Ababa (ET)
Solo Exhibitions
2021 Tightrope, Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto (CA) [forthcoming]
2020 Tightrope, Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art in Kansas City, MO (US) [forthcoming]
Tightrope, Akron Art Museum in Akron, OH (US) [forthcoming]
2019 Tightrope, Ruth and Elmer Wellin Museum of Art, Hamilton College, Clinton, NY (US)
NOISELESS, James Cohan, New York (US)
ZOMA Museum, Addis Ababa (ET)
2018 Tightrope, GRIMM Frans Halsstraat, Amsterdam (NL)
2017 Elias Sime: Twisted & Hidden, James Cohan, New York, NY (US)
2015 Elias Sime, James Cohan, New York, NY (US)
2013 Tightrope, British Council, Goethe-Institute, Italian Cultural Institute and Alliance Ethio-Française, Adias Ababa
(ET)
2012 Eye of the Needle, Eye of the Heart, North Dakota Museum of Art, Grand Forks, ND (US)
2011 Ants and Ceramicists, British Council, Goethe-Institute, Italian Cultural Institute and Alliance Ethio-Française,
Addis Ababa,
(ET)
Tot, DUVE, Berlin (DE)
2010 Oedipus-Rex Opera, Sydney Opera House, Sydney (AUS)
2009 Oedipus-Rex Opera, Walt Disney concert hall, California, CA (US)
Eye of the Needle, Eye of the Heart, Santa Monica Museum of Art, California, CA (US)
2008 What is Love?, Alliance Ethio-française, Adias Ababa, (ET)
2006 Metamorphosis, Public Mosaic sponsored by European Union & Zoma Contemporary Art Center, Addis Ababa (ET)
GOTA Tarat-Tarat, Alliance Ethio-française, Addis Ababa (ET)
2004 Min Neber, Italian Cultural Institute, Addis Ababa (ET)
2002 Retrospect part 1 part of Giziawi #1, in Jara Park, Addis Ababa (ET)
1999 Hilton Hotel, Addis Ababa (ET)
1998 Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa (ET)
1996 Economic Commission for Africa, Addis Ababa (ET)
1995 Organization of African Unity, Addis Ababa (ET)
1993 Alliance Ethio-française, Addis Ababa (ET)
Selected Group Exhibitions
2018 I Was Raised on the Internet, Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, Chicago, IL (US)
Grids, James Cohan, New York, NY (US)
2017 Abstract Minded: Works by Six Contemporary African Artists, N’Namidi Center for Contemporary Art, Detroit, MI
(US)
Innovative Approaches, Honored Traditions: the Ruth and Elmer Wellin Museum of Art at Five Years, Highlights
from the
Permanent Collection, the Ruth and Elmer Wellin Museum of Art, Clinton, NY (US)
2016 The Distance of a Day: New in Contemporary Art, The Israel Museum, Jerusalem (IL)
2015 Passing Leap, Hauser & Wirth, New York, NY (US)
Group Exhibition, Brennan & Griffin, New York, NY (US)
2010 Stitches,The Armory Center for the Arts, Pasadena, CA (US)
2009 Täarät-Täarät, Haunch of Venison, London (UK)
2008 The Essential Art of African Textiles: Design Without End, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY (US)
Flow, Studio Museum in Harlem, New York, NY (US)
2006 Green Flame, Peter Sellars’s New Crowned Hope Festival, Vienna (AT)
GOETHE INSTITUT,- Addis Wubet & Zoma Contemporary Art Center, Addis Ababa (ET)
2005 Hidden Talent, European Union & Zoma Contemporary Art Center, Addis Ababa (ET)
Addis Abeba Zare, Addis Ababa University Fine Art and Design School, Addis Ababa (ET)
2004 Dak’Art Biennale 2004, 6th International Contemporary African Art, Dakar (SN)
2003 Min Neber, Italian Cultural Institute, Addis Ababa (ET)
2002 Giziawi #1, Meskel Square, Addis Ababa (ET)
2000 Italian Cultural Institute, Addis Ababa (ET)
1999 Alliance Ethio-française, Addis Ababa (ET)
1997 Goshu Gallery, Addis Ababa (ET)
Joint Exhibition of Dutch-Ethiopian Artists in Holland and in Addis Ababa, Fine Arts School, Addis Ababa (ET)
1995 National Museum, Addis Ababa (ET)
Selected Collections
Chrysler Museum of Arts, Norfolk, VA (US)
Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit, MI (US)
Hood Museum of Art, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH (US)
Harn Museum of Art, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL (US)
Israel Museum, Jerusalem, Israel (IL)
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, Kansas City, MO (US)
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY (US)
N’Namdi Center for Contemporary Art, Detroit, MI (US)
Newark Museum, Newark, NJ (US)
North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh, NC (US)
North Dakota Museum of Art, Grand Forks, ND (US)
Perez Museum of Art, Miami, FL (US)
Pizzuti Collection, Columbus, OH (US)
Carl and Marilynn Thoma Art Foundation, Santa Fe, NM (US)
Toledo Museum of Art, OH (US)
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond, VA (US)
Ruth and Elmer Wellin Museum of Art, Hamilton College, Clinton, NY (US)