The rock-cut and constructed churches of Ethiopia preserve an ancient, unique and little-known wall painting heritage. Widely scattered across mountainous terrain and typically hidden in remote locations, both the churches and their vibrant paintings are now at risk from a range of threats, including most recently that of armed conflict. Since 2013, the Ethiopian Heritage Fund (EHF), a UK-based charity, has worked to study and conserve the painted churches, principally in the northern state of Tigray. Endeavours and initiatives include conserving churches at risk, the study of original painting techniques and materials, teaching and training of local professionals, and surveying of churches that remain largely unknown and unrecorded. Alongside these efforts, the livelihoods of remote rural communities are a paramount concern, and local empowerment is a crucial component of the conservation programme. The preservation of Ethiopia’s painted churches stands at a critical point, in which threats to people and paintings are inextricably linked: we estimate that about 20% of Tigray’s known wall paintings have disappeared in the last 50 years, half of those in the last five years. This illustrated presentation describes the complex and shifting challenges of trying to safeguard these sites for the future.
All proceeds from the ticket sales will be donated to the Desta Ethiopia [UK charity number 1194896].
Lisa Shekede and Stephen Rickerby are wall painting conservators who work internationally. Past and current projects include Byzantine churches in Cyprus, ancient tombs in Egypt, Buddhist caves and temples in China and Bhutan. They also work on a wide variety of wall paintings and decorative schemes in the UK, from the medieval to the modern period. They are consultant conservators for the Ethiopian Heritage Fund (EHF).
