Photo by Dawn Whitmore. Courtesy of Dawn Whitmore Photography and Addis Fine Art.
James Cohan is pleased to announce the representation of Ethiopian artist Merikokeb Berhanu in partnership with Addis Fine Art and Esther Schipper. This collaboration aims to further elevate Berhanu's international presence and introduce her compelling body of work to a broader audience.
Merikokeb Berhanu’s paintings deftly balance abstraction and recognisable form, featuring dense backgrounds intertwined with recurring organic elements such as cellular structures, budding plantlife, and stylised anthropomorphic shapes. These compositions explore the complexities and contradictions of contemporary life, drawing inspiration from both urban and rural landscapes while delving into themes of rapid urbanization and the tension between nature and technology. The artist’s recent works incorporate symbols like circuit boards and skeletal figures, reflecting on society's estrangement from the natural world.
In May 2025, Berhanu will present her debut solo presentation with Esther Schipper, Berlin as part of Gallery Weekend Berlin. James Cohan will stage a solo exhibition of new work by the artist in October 2025. These highly anticipated exhibitions of the artist’s latest works on canvas will introduce new audiences to her evocative and richly layered paintings, further cementing her position as a leading voice in contemporary African art.
This co-representation marks a significant milestone in Berhanu's career, providing her with an expanded platform across Europe and the United States.
James Cohan remarked: "Merikokeb Berhanu's work reflects on a unique blend of cultural specificity and an intertwined language of abstraction. We are honored to be working together.”
Rakeb Sile and Mesai Haileleul, who co-founded Addis Fine Art in 2016, commented: “Merikokeb Berhanu’s practice exemplifies the extraordinary talent emerging from Ethiopia and the broader Horn of Africa, and we are thrilled to embark on this partnership with Esther Schipper and James Cohan to support her on this next stage of her career. This collaboration reflects the future of how Addis Fine Art intends to work into the future—championing our artists on a global scale by fostering strategic partnerships that provide them with expanded opportunities and visibility. As the international art world continues to recognize the importance of artistic voices from our region, we are committed to ensuring that our artists are represented at the highest levels.”
Esther Schipper, gallery founder and co-owner with her partner Florian Wojnar, said: "I am honored Merikokeb Berhanu is joining Esther Schipper. I have long admired her painting for its beauty and intelligence. Merikokeb was an important artistic position in our painting exhibition Twilight is a Place of Promise in 2024, and I am delighted to present a solo presentation of her work during the Gallery Weekend Berlin. It is a wonderful opportunity to introduce Merikokeb’s work to a wider European audience. I look forward to working with her, Addis Fine Art and James Cohan Gallery."
Merikokeb Berhanu (b. 1977, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia) graduated in 2002 from Addis Ababa University, Alle School of Fine Arts and Design, with a focus on mural design. Berhanu's work has been showcased in solo and group exhibitions worldwide, including the 59th International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia, 2022 and Making Their Mark: Art by Women in the Shah Garg Collection, curated by Cecilia Alemani, Shah Garg Foundation, New York, 2023. Her paintings are included in major institutional collections, including Tate, London, UK; San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, San Francisco, CA; Denver Art Museum, Denver, CO; Baltimore Museum of Art, Baltimore, MD; High Museum of Art, Atlanta, GA; Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, MA; Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA (promised gift); Inhotim Museum, Brumadinho, Brazil; and Fondation H, Antananarivo, Madagascar.
For inquiries regarding Merikokeb Berhanu, please contact Celine Collazo at ccollazo@jamescohan.com or 212.717.9500.
For press inquiries, please contact Sarah Stengel at sstengel@jamescohan.com or 212.714.9500.