Meet Airo Abebe | Multidisciplinary Creative

We had the good fortune of connecting with Airo Abebe and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Airo, Let’s talk about principles and values – what matters to you most?
Community; in every sense of the word is much more than just claiming titles, or visiting spaces here and there. . In practice, community is a culmination of honesty, trusting and trust-worthy behaviors, in other words, reciprocity. Additionally this calls for accountability and support. The moments we’ve collectively spent with each other and build for the children that are born to our families will be what carries our stories through lifetimes.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My practice is built in Plant Based Adornment under the name Saffiyah (thru) Botanicals. This is a term I came to the conclusion of with the help of explaining to a fellow farmer about my connection to plants. Over the years I have shifted my focus from creating disposable art to more sustainable useful and sacred tools by combining my love of being outdoors to my connection with my imagination. Some of those tools have been wooden aromatherapy necklaces, upcycled clothing designs, bamboo hair tools, and healing music. I stumbled upon this art expression by following my heart and staying aligned with my morals. I am still working through sustaining my livelihood and supporting my family from this craft alone, this has been my grandest challenge, as it costs to invest before you are able to reap the benefits. Some lessons I have learned is to take advantage of opportunities as they arise rather than sit idly by them. Saffiyah Botanicals serves as a reminder to myself and all who come in contact, that inner peace can be found and sustained while doing what you love. Though money is running our daze at the moment, we will eventually have to return to the traditions that our families once practiced in order to be in tru communion with the Earth.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Truthfully I am such a homebody! To start a Sunday off I would cook breakfast and a packed lunch for us using ingredients like fresh greens and herbs foraged from Habesha Gardens. We would go for a walk in Piedmont park, read books and paint, or crochet while enjoying our lunch. Then we would go to an Gallery Anderson Smith to view their latest pieces, and maybe do some studying in Buckhead Library. Then we’d hit up Mama’s Restaurant on Piedmont for some tortas. Closing the night with a nice Jam session at Gallery 992. If we’re not exhausted by then a late night skate at Joyland would be cute. A great Sunday to lead into a spa day Monday at Jeju spa in Duluth.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There is a long list of thank you’s; bear with me. First and foremost, my family and friends for having patience with me while I learn and discover what I need and want from this life to be self-fulfilled. Thank you to everyone who let me crash on a couch when I needed to travel ( Max, Kesha, Janelle, Anthony, and more friends across the US ). To Moon for your mentorship. Aquinas for your support and mentorship in my imaginative projects. Thank you to every person I’ve collaborated with creatively, Indgo, Kuma, Bobby. I’m thankful for Habesha Gardens for feeding me when I was hungry and educating me on farming. To Octavia Butler’s Wild Seed, Assata Shakur’s Autobiography, Sacred Woman by Queen Afua. Thank you to the tree in the front yard of my Mom’s house. Thank you to Rosemary , hibsicus, Mint, Eucalyptus, Lemongrass, Gingko and Sunflowers.

Website: https://airosdigi-lab.notion.site/airosdigi-lab/Home-e40444580084406fa7af9595473875d4

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/airoabebe/?hl=en

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@airoabebe?si=Gmsvgn1j2uaivQXn

Other: I am currently looking for more creatives to collaborate with , sponsorships for my creative endeavors , and studio spaces that are available to work in. Feel free to reach out to me on Instagram!

Image Credits
@heavnncanwait – Indgo