Ethiopian Passages

In the global arena, African artists have contributed significantly to the inventiveness and creative vitality of the contemporary art world. This impact has been more immediate and pronounced for Western audiences as African artists move into the growing and significant diaspora in America and Europe. This study introduces audiences to the importance of the arts in the African diaspora and tells of the important histories of migration and the myriad negotiations of artistic, cultural, group and personal identities among African artists in the diaspora. The book brings together artists from across several generations, who have addressed issues of identity, experienced displacement and created new "homelands". The evidence of these encounters and personal experiences can be seen in the works of art that are included, which demonstrate the magnificence and arresting power of contemporary African art.