Elias Sime's First Middle East Solo Show Opens at Lawrie Shabibi
Lawrie Shabibi in Dubai will host 'Through the Window – በመስኮቱ ውስጥ', marking Elias Sime's first solo exhibition in the Middle East, set to open on 15 April 2025. The Addis Ababa-based Ethiopian artist is celebrated for his ability to convert technological waste—such as braided wires, circuit boards, and electronic parts—into complex, layered artworks that challenge the distinctions between technology, nature, and abstraction. The exhibition's title alludes to both literal and figurative openings that shape perception. Sime gained notable recognition for his participation in the 59th Venice Biennale (2022) under Cecilia Alemani's 'The Milk of Dreams' and his 'Tightrope' series, which explores the conflict between technological advancement and environmental sustainability. The show will feature an image of 'Tightrope/ Through the Window 8' (2025), provided by the artist, James Cohan, and Lawrie Shabibi.
Key facts
- Elias Sime's first solo exhibition in the Middle East opens at Lawrie Shabibi, Dubai.
- Exhibition titled 'Through the Window – በመስኮቱ ውስጥ' opens 15 April 2025.
- Sime transforms technological materials like wires, circuit boards, and electronic components into layered compositions.
- He was featured in the 59th Venice Biennale (2022) in Cecilia Alemani's 'The Milk of Dreams'.
- His 'Tightrope' series explores tension between technological progress and environmental sustainability.
- Sime's process involves meticulous selection and reassembly of industrial remnants.
- The compositions evoke maps, topographies, and urban grids.
- Image: 'Tightrope/ Through the Window 8' (2025) courtesy of the artist, James Cohan, and Lawrie Shabibi.
Entities
Artists
- Elias Sime
- Cecilia Alemani
Institutions
- Lawrie Shabibi
- James Cohan
- Venice Biennale
Locations
- Dubai
- United Arab Emirates
- Addis Ababa
- Ethiopia
- Venice
- Italy