Members of Artists for Charity are raising orphaned children and teenagers living with HIV/AIDS in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. I was a volunteer artist in residence, working hands-on with Shemeles, Ashenafi, Fasil, Fresew, Gabreal, Getahun, Samrawit, Samira, Eden, Tsige, Meseret, Kidist, Tigist, Bestelot, and Mekdes (6 boys, 9 girls, ages 10-17) with guidance from 3 main volunteer co-parents, Abezash, Soulieman, and Zahara. The children are strong, beautiful kids that are living happy, healthy lives in one of the poorest countries in the world, Ethiopia, which is also home to some of the richest natural and national history in the world. They are so thankful for everyone that contributes to the AFC home and allows them to not only survive, but grow.
Love is AFC.
Peace.
Support and learn more at artistsforcharity.org
my experience with ARTISTS FOR CHARITY in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
January 12 - March 8, 2009
***see pictures on the Media page***
I had quite a unique experience living, working, and growing with these kids because of our emphasis on art. My own work, which consisted mainly of 2 separate kid-friendly, site-specific installations using 100% recycled material, kept me busy. It also gave the kids the opportunity to watch me and my process in action. They observed, watched things take form and come to life, and learned and were inspired. They received the cues and began making many of their own creations (and I was certainly not without a group of talented young artists). I had the chance and found the perfect surface on which to go wild with my favorite material- vinyl (sticker paper is how I explained it to the kids). Using scissors or my xacto knife, I custom designed medicine name labels and lively color-form scenery to adorn the children's medicine cabinet in their medicine room. (The glass-doored cabinet luckily survived the bumpy ride from house y to house z, as Abezash orchestrated and I endured a house swap for the kids during my stay.) I also did a vinyl project on the walls of the waiting room at the kids' nearby health clinic, Worldwide Orphans. Art is a daily activity for the kids at the AFC home and their energy was amazing.
stay in touch with my art on katrinafranzen.com