Amongst the menagerie of art galleries that line Bergamot Station in Santa Monica lies something different – something straight from Africa. The current exhibition at the Santa Monica Museum of Art (SMMOA), Eye of the Needle Eye of the Heart is highlighting works by Ethiopian artist Elias Sime until April 18. This exhibit marks his first solo U.S. exhibition.In the past, Ethiopian artists have been viewed in their native country as subhuman because of the belief that they can use their evil eye” to hurt the public. Fortunately stigmas lightened in certain areas of the country and in 1959 the Addis Abeba Fine Art and Design School opened in Ethiopia. Sime enrolled in 1986 and graduated in 1990.The majority of Sime’s pieces are created from collections of castaway items gathered around Addis Abeba. In his artistic approach nothing is trash and everything has potential. The exhibition showcases this mentality that Sime has practiced with his artwork for the past two decades.Assistant Manager of the SMMOA gift store Mary Chancellor has seen firsthand the reaction to the show which opened Jan. 24.”I’ve never seen a response to a show like this Chancellor said. Even in the past week people have come back two or three times and brought new people with them to share the exhibition. They go in and come out and want to talk about it. It’s very special.”The most intriguing aspect of the exhibition is the use of space. Immediately upon entering the room the viewer finds art pieces filling up every corner. From dozens of hanging pieces of wood to large-scale canvases to goatskins filled with straw scattered in the middle of the room Sime’s pieces are outspoken and original.In many of his works of art Sime opts to put down the paintbrush and pick up the needle. While much of his work is comprised of mixed media such as oil paint bottle caps and newspaper some of the pieces in the exhibition feature yarn sewn on canvases. This medium creates an interesting non-traditional alternative to paint.The sculptures that decorate the wall adjacent to the entrance are grandiose and made of wood scull horn leather and cowry shell. One piece entitled “Jemot appears animal-like and incorporates all of these mediums.Haystacks line the back wall and are embellished by small mud and straw sculptures of monkeys, adding to the eccentricity of the collection.One of the larger works even incorporates hundreds of colored buttons that create a cohesive image when viewed from a certain angle. Another facet to the exhibition is the inclusion of video media. Once visitors make it to the opposite side of the museum, they find a small cave-like projection room, within it are benches, beanbag chairs and cultural-inspired cloth. The video follows Sime in his hometown of Addis Abeba, Ethiopia as he searches for materials from which to make his art. He gathers these materials mainly around parts of Merkato, the largest open market in Africa. In addition, the video stresses that Sime embraces the humility of materials emphasizing Sime’s identity and roots in a deeply impoverished area where creativity can be found anywhere. It further explains that art is a way out of limitations.He uses his hands Chancellor said. He uses things from the earth and nature and what’s around. It’s almost recycled what with the buttons cloths and fabrics. The whole exhibit is about love family roots and the journey we’re all on. It’s very optimistic.”____The exhibition is open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and is free of charge. For visitor information visit www.bergamotstation.com www.smmoa.org or call (310)-586-6488.