Ethiopian Sacred Art Opens at Glencairn

The artworks on display are on loan from the Bowden Collections, a series of traveling exhibitions of sacred and biblical art assembled by collector Sandra Bowden. The exhibition, running through November 8, 2026, features pieces created over the last 50 years. Ethiopia is home to one of the oldest Christian civilizations in the world, with a history of Christian art that dates back to the 4th century AD. This artistic tradition is deeply intertwined with the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church and has served as a method of telling biblical stories for centuries. A distinctive feature of Ethiopian iconography is the depiction of figures with large, almond-shaped eyes. This stylistic choice is not merely aesthetic; it symbolizes spiritual clarity, vigilance, and the ever-watchful presence of God. The colors used are also symbolic, with gold representing divinity, red for sacrifice, and blue for wisdom. The exhibition includes various types of intricate crosses, which are central to Ethiopian Orthodox tradition and serve as symbols of identity, protection, and blessing. Different regions in Ethiopia have their own distinct styles, such as the elaborate Lalibela cross and the simpler, symmetrical Axum cross. The Glencairn Museum itself was once the home of collector Raymond Pitcairn and houses a vast collection of religious art from various cultures, including ancient Egypt, Rome, and medieval Europe. The museum's opening event for the Ethiopian exhibit encouraged attendees to compare the depictions of biblical stories with those from other cultures represented in its permanent collection.