Michael Tsegaye

Biography

Michael Tsegaya was born in 1975 in Addis Ababa, and is one of the most promising Ethiopian photographers of his generation. He originally began his career in painting, after receiving his degree from Addis Ababa University. However, he developed an allergy to oil paints and was forced to abandon his career as a painter. Drawing on the skills he developed as a painter, including a strong sense of composition, he made the switch to photography.

Publications

2014
New York Times Lens Blog: The Changing of Ethiopia.

2013
The Guardian: Ethiopia seen outside the box.

CNN.com: Hotshots: Africa’s most exciting new photographers.

2012
SAVVY Journal for Critical Texts on Contemporary African Art, 4th ed. “Curating: Expectations and Challenges”.

2011
Ankober, mystic,. Callaloo 33.1 (2010): 290-294. Project MUSE.

Ohne Gott uhnd ohne Fusel, Der Speigel.

2009
Im blauen Lichtder Zukunft, DIE ZEIT

Ethiopia Shuts Down Coffee Exporters, New York Times

2008
Front cover, World Heritage Magazine

2004
Front cover image African Politics magazine (France)

Selected Images

“The photographs below were taken from a low flying airplane just outside Addis Ababa, The bqckbone of the Ethiopian economy is agriculture, and for centuries the rural landscape has been dominated by small farms of one or two hectares, planted with a diversity of crops throughout the year. In recent years, the Ethiopian government is transforming agriculture into large-scale commercial enterprises. These small farms will disappear soon”.