Beyond Borders

Harar, Lamu & Stone town Connected

Photo Exhibition by Abinet Teshome & Sehin Tewabe

This exhibition is a testament to the uncharted, unforeseen, and profound connection found across three ancient cities: Harar in Ethiopia, Lamu in Kenya, and Stone Town in Tanzania. Through the lenses of photographers Sehin Tewabe and Abinet Teshome, these cities come alive—not as far-off locations but as intertwined cultural threads that speak to a shared African heritage.

The journey began with no fixed agenda—just a desire to travel, explore, and immerse. What transpired was a cross-section of three nations, revealing striking parallels in language, religion, culture, and architecture. The unprompted discovery became the foundation for this exhibition, where stories of simplicity, beauty, and resilience are told through the daily lives of these cities.

This collection captures more than fleeting moments. In the mundane, Sehin and Abinet found poetry: the stillness of quiet streets, the vibrancy of colors on walls, and the symmetry that frames each shot. They uncovered stories that transcend borders—moments that highlight the shared humanity of these places. From Harar’s narrow alleys to Lamu’s dhow-filled waters and Stone Town’s intricately carved wooden doors, their work speaks of connections that run deeper than geography.

Despite challenges like weather, unfamiliar roads, and the absence of external funding, these photographers turned obstacles into opportunities. During their year-long journey, they captured over 5,000 images and collaborated with a friend for the final selection of photos for curation purposes with Eyoeal Kefyalew, refining the narrative into this selection—a story told in still frames, each carrying the spirit of the streets.

This exhibition represents a significant milestone for Artawi Gallery. A year after its opening, this marks the first duo exhibition by the gallery’s founders. At its heart, this exhibition is about reclaiming narratives. African stories are rarely told through African eyes, and this project serves as a powerful reminder of what happens when we take ownership of our own stories. Sehin and Abinet hope their work will inspire others to explore their own lands, celebrate their cultures, and find the beauty in what might otherwise be overlooked.

About the Photographers

Abinet Teshome

Abinet, a versatile photographer from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, discovered his passion for photography in 8th grade. Street photography quickly became his preferred medium for capturing the vibrant beauty of everyday life. With a talent and keen eye for seizing decisive moments, Abinet honed his skills through projects in various genres. He chose to pursue photography wholeheartedly, leaving university to study Film and Cinematography.

Today, Abinet continues to explore different genres while maintaining a deep connection to street photography, where he discovered his artistic voice. His talent has been recognized through exhibitions in Ethiopia, Eritrea, Italy, Norway, the UAE, and Germany. He received second place in the National Geography AFF portfolio review award and was selected for Lens Culture’s renowned collection, “Daily Street Photography Inspiration From Around The World.

Abinet also co-founded the “Artawi Gallery” with fellow photographer Sehin Tewabe, serving as a platform that connects artists with the art community in Ethiopia.

Sehin Tewabe

Sehin Tewabe is an award-winning Ethiopian photographer based in Addis Ababa and the co-founder of Artawi Gallery, Ethiopia’s first photography gallery. A self-taught artist with a background in accounting, she discovered her passion for photography while capturing the vibrant moments of her large family, transforming them into timeless images.

Specializing in portraiture, documentary, and commercial photography, Sehin uses natural light to evoke emotion and authenticity in her work. Over the years, she has participated in international exhibitions and events, earning recognition for her unique creative voice.

Motivated by her own challenges in finding spaces to exhibit her solo photography work, Sehin co-founded Artawi Gallery to support the local photography community and create opportunities for artists to showcase their work in Addis Ababa.