Chantey's Ethiopia Art Project

Dearest loved ones, friends, and lovers of art,

I am headed back to Africa - The Omo Valley, Ethiopia - with a vision to make incredible art, inspired by the rich indigenous life ways in this amazing, rooted place. I have an insatiable love for Ethiopia, its peoples, and their cultures. I have experienced this country viscerally, as an impact way down deep in my heart. I’ve had the life-altering, perspective-changing privilege of visiting the country three times in the last two years, and have created two full collections of paintings as a direct result of these encounters.  I am now setting my sights on returning in June 2016. Please check out my Ethiopia artworks at www.chanteydayal.com. Sales from paintings and prints will all contribute to this fundraising effort.

Unlike my previous visits, I will travel solo, on a personal pilgrimage, with a wish to step into the Omo Valley, where many of Ethiopia's indigenous tribes continue living in their traditional ways. Just me, my tent, my paints, and my dancing feet will arrive with a clear intention to sit with the many tribes of this region, and learn  something of their mythologies, plant medicines, songs, and dances.  My calling is to translate this meeting into a whole load of paintings. My ultimate dream is to exhibit this work in Ethiopia, Canada, and world-wide. There could be a book that is waiting to happen too, but the first step is for me to get there: to show up and begin.  

The funds I am asking for will cover several aspects of this logistics-rich trip and project.  Guides, translators, and preventive expenses to keep myself healthy are as needed as travel funds, food and accommodations in the city when I arrive and depart. With little public transport outside of the city, no signs, or addresses to speak of, travel between regions absolutely requires a knowledgeable driver. I am excited to be able to work with a driver from Addis Ababa that I already know and trust. He is highly experienced in bringing outsiders, including other artists, to the Omo Valley.  I will spend several days in Addis Ababa just before leaving Ethiopia to focus on broadening my contacts - to plant the seeds for an exhibition of my work there. Because I plan to travel June 21st - July 19th, 2016, I will be working hard to raise the necessary funds by May 15th, 2016, and would so appreciate any help you’re moved to give.

I love to paint, and I also love getting to know people, their own foods and cooking, their important stories, and the rest of their traditional cultures. For me, this wild undertaking is about (re)connecting to ancient ways, exploring important human narratives, understanding and experiencing the roots of humanity in East Africa in the here and now - and finally, getting very creative through an exploration of the complete unknown.

This is the next step in my artistic journey. 
Contributions of any size are welcome. I am forever grateful for your donations towards this project. To be supported as an artist is an amazing gift, and one that I cherish and appreciate beyond words.

Love, Chantey