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historical notes
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Kebede Alitash was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where her father instilled in her a love for art by exposing her to the photography in LIFE magazine, featuring the works of renowned artists such as Walker Evans, Gordon Parks, and Dorothea Lange. After completing her college studies in the United States, she pursued a career in music, working at Atlantic Records and later as Director of Public Affairs at KJLH radio in Los Angeles, where she established the Radio Vision Gallery. However, her passion for art led her to establish herself as a private art dealer in Los Angeles in 1984, with the help of mentors such as Dr. Samella Lewis and Mitzi Landau.
As a private art dealer, Alitash established lifelong relationships with the artists she exhibited, including Skunder Boghossian, Romare Bearden, and Jacob Lawrence. In 1994, she opened her first public gallery, which gained a reputation for being a source for both first-time and seasoned collectors. Her gallery exhibited works by New York artists such as Al Loving, Ed Clark, and Herbert Gentry, among others. She has also worked with museums, cultural institutions, corporate clients, and notable private clients, including the US Department of State Art Embassies Program. Additionally, Alitash is a founding member of the Photographic Arts Council of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and a member of ArtTable. |
