A talented Harrow artist is set to displays her latest works at an Ethiopian-inspired exhibition.

Catherine Chambers’ work has been heavily influenced by her experiences in the east African country, and has been getting to know the large Ethiopian community in north London since her return.

“Since returning, I have made contact with local Ethiopian Londoners who, like the friends I made in Ethiopia, have been extremely kind and have warmly welcomed me into their community, and are helping me continue to learn the national language, Amharic,” she said.

Her exhibition, entitled “a brother’s progress”, documents one man’s attempt to establish a successful local business. Other themes explore the community in the town of Lalibela and its inhabitants’ interaction with the tourist trade.  

Catherine’s artworks come in many forms, from portraits and photographs to sketches and stained glass.

Catherine lived in Harrow before moving to Bristol to study drawing and applied arts at university.

“I have always loved London, mainly due to the amount of galleries and museums which I felt Bristol lacked,” she explains.

“Returning to London after seven years I have felt so comfortable, in particular having missed living in such a culturally rich and diverse community such as Harrow.”

The exhibition at the Freespace Gallery, in Kentish Town, opens on Friday at 6.30pm, with all welcome. A traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony will be performed by Camden’s Eden Ethiopian Coffee stall at the opening.