In January 2026 during a research visit to Ethiopia, Dr. Kate Cowcher led a session on ‘Condition Checking’ with staff and students from the Alle School of Fine Arts in Addis Ababa. The focus of the session was several large paintings in the Gebre Kristos Desta Modern Art Museum at the university, which is home to a collection of major artworks by the celebrated Ethiopian modernist Gebre Kristos Desta.
The team completed three Condition Assessments, examining the support, ground, surface and framing of several key works, including the masterpiece, Golgotha (1963). They also discussed the importance of developing Ethiopia-specific (and dual language) Condition Checking forms for the rest of the collection. Many of those participating in the session were themselves practicing artists, and were keen to adopt a process of Condition Checking to monitor physical changes and conditions to their own works, before and after exhibitions. The session was facilitated by Prof. Bekele Mekonnen, Director of the Gebre Kristos Desta Centre.
Image: Detail of Gebre Kristos Desta, Golgotha, oil on canvas board, 1963. Collection of the Gebre Kristos Desta Centre, Addis Ababa.
If any network members are also interested in questions of artwork conservation and condition monitoring, particularly of modern or contemporary paintings, prints or sculptures, Dr Cowcher would love to hear from you ([email protected]).
Key image: Conservation of Gebre Kristos Desta, Golgotha, oil on canvas board, 1963. Collection of the Gebre Kristos Desta Centre, Addis Ababa.