Studio Gallery promotes local artists and gives them space to present art in both physical and online platforms. As Washington D.C.’s oldest artist cooperative, we support both emerging and established artists, and maintain an open space for artists and art lovers to interact and fall in love with art.
While being committed to the local art scene, Studio Gallery is also interested in international art and supports artists all over the world. We open our doors to volunteers and enthusiasts who want to learn more about art, and meet artists who live and work in Washington DC and the surrounding areas. That’s how I became a part of Studio Gallery, and am now able to share with you my love of Georgian art (the country, not the state!).
While being in the USA, we Georgian citizens are sometimes challenged to explain which country we are from. As there is the state of Georgia in the United States, everyone thinks that we are from Georgia the state, so we say “we are from Georgia, the country!” This blog post is about Georgian art – the art from the tiny country on the historical Silk Road.
Georgia is located near the Black Sea, between giant Russia and Turkey. The country is a gateway from East to West for many countries, and a bridge between Asia and Europe. Being at a crossroads makes it unique and important at the same time. In this small land, you can find an amazing mix of different cultures, traditions, and nationalities. But today’s blog is about Georgian contemporary art and about emerging artists who are maintaining our art scene.
As one can assume, there are big names who are popular locally and globally, like Andro Wekua, Thea Djorjadze, Eteri Chkadua, Sopho Tabatadze, Sophiko Chkeidze, and more. These artists are established internationally.
As Studio Gallery is an inclusive gallery that aims to give emerging artists the floor, today I will focus on Georgian artists who I think match this concept with their artistic approach.
Salomeya Bauer
artist and film director. She creates art that you can never forget. Once, I commented on one of her artworks and said “I like him” (referring to a person in the painting) and she replied:” I never paint gender, so everyone can decide for her/himself what gender the character is.”
See more here.
Gagosha
Street artist and social activist. Gagosha uses public space to present his projects and express his protests. If you are in Tbilisi (the capital of Georgia), you will definitely find his artworks on the walls of the subway or on the main streets. Besides that, Gagosha paints amazing characters, such as angels like this.
See more here.
Lizi Budagashvili
Currently a student at Ringling College of Art and Design, Sarasota, FL. Some art curators call her a “rising star” from Georgia. Lizi has an exceptional sense of colors and views of the world. She uses diverse mediums,including oil and gouache, coal, ink, paper, and more. If you scroll through Lizi’s Instagram page, you will definitely find her in many of her artworks. She paints herself very often and she paints herself differently every time. I love the calmness and aesthetic sense in her artworks.
See more here.
Lia Chechelashvili
Art created by lines; only lines. Lia Chechelashvili is a self-taught artist from Georgia. She works on minimal, monochromatic line paintings and digitally enhanced drawings. While looking at and experiencing her art, one can be sure that black and white are the two most powerful colors.
See more here.
Nino Eliashvili
In a modern environment, artists have to mix several mediums and techniques. Currently, Nino is an art teacher who teaches kids and teenagers how to paint. Her art is inspired by spiritual feelings, sexual orientation, and hidden emotions. Her artworks have already attracted international curators’ attention. Nino uses watercolor and creates surrealist artworks.
See more here.
There are many established Georgian artists who are interesting to watch. However, I want to highlight Niniko Morbedaze, the artist whose artwork was sold by the Philips auction house in 2021 for £22,680, while the estimate was £8,000 - 12,000. This is one of the most recent international auction sale for Georgian art. While viewing Morbedaze’s artworks, one can see the gorgeous colors. They give me the feeling that I am in a fairy tale, or in some unreal space and time.
Art is the universal medium of communication. I hope this blog post will inspire you to discover Georgian art as a new avenue of inspiration. You can find more Georgian art at the online Wally Gallery here: www.wallygallery.com.
I am glad that Studio Gallery gave me this opportunity to present my country and Georgian art to you. Thank you!
Written by staff contributor Gvantsa Kikalishvili.