Remarks by Mamo

         
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The Late Sofia T. Gobena Art Exhibition
The Late Sofia T. Gobena Art Exhibition
The Late Sofia T. Gobena Art Exhibition at World Space Corporation
Opening reception Friday June 18, 2004 at 4:30pm - 9:30pm

Remarks by Sofia's Father at the Opening of the Exhibition

Beloved Friends:

Welcome to the celebration of Sofie's life and work. A year ago most of you were with us mourning her passing on. Today we are together to celebrate the creation of her wonderful hand and brain manifested by some of her work in clay, glass, metal, and twigs shown here in the lobby of this august building. Though physically distant, now resting peacefully in a crypt at Qeraneo Medhane Alem Gedam in Ethiopia, Sofie is with us in spirit. As you will witness her work is unique and all of it is a "thing of beauty." Her imprint in this world we live on forever.

We, members of Sofie's family, are establishing an organization to be known as "Sofia T. Gobena Foundation for the Arts" in order to encourage and promote ceramic art and related education.  You will note from the handout you have that we are offering as a gift some of her unique work to raise fund for this organization. Any donation that you make will be used to help acquire equipment for ceramic art for the School of Fine Arts and Design of Addis Ababa University as well as subsidize students with financial needs at the School. Our family has pledged 50,000 Birr for that purpose.

On behalf my family, I thank you all for being with us this evening. I would also like to have it registered that we are deeply touched by and highly indebted to our friends in the Washington, DC, area for their support in time of our sorrow and grief. A special thanks goes as well particularly to members of the Debre Genet Medhane Alem Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church who have been with us through thick and thin.

Further, I would like to thank the WorldSpace Corporation for its generosity to have this show in here.

Thank you all, once again. Let you eyes feast on Sofie's creations. Enjoy the evening! Now, I ask Mr. Mamo Tessema, the first professionally trained and leading Ethiopian ceramist to say a few words.

 

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