Interview with Giorgi Shengelia
Presented at the first Georgian auction at Bonhams, London, with the photo series Accidental Portraits (2020)
This year marks two historic firsts: Bonhams, one of the world’s leading auction houses, is hosting its first-ever sale dedicated exclusively to Georgian art — and for the first time, a Georgian photography gallery is representing local artists on an international auction platform of this scale. Among them is photographer Giorgi Shengelia, whose work is featured with his intimate, powerful series Accidental Portraits (2020).
This series began with a fire. Shengelia’s family photo archive was almost entirely destroyed — only burnt fragments remained: scorched corners, fading faces, barely surviving images. From this loss, a new visual language was born.
“The small, nostalgic photos that survived inspired me to find a new form — something that could recreate the same emotional depth,” says Shengelia. “That’s how I started working with what I call accidental portraits — faces and moments I notice in everyday life that echo the ones we lost.”
Developed under red light in the darkroom, Shengelia’s photographs feel more like impressions than documents — unresolved, haunting, and deeply personal. Alongside Accidental Portraits, he also presents Untitled Sheets, a standalone piece that exists outside any defined narrative.
We spoke with Shengelia about the significance of this moment — both personally and for Georgian photography.
Congratulations on having your work featured at Bonhams’ historic first Georgian auction — a prestigious international platform now recognizing Georgian art as its own category. What does this mean to you?
Giorgi Shengelia:
First of all, I’m deeply grateful to the team at Gallery Fotoatelier for the work they’ve done to bring Georgian photography into this space. Personally, it’s a big motivator — I think it will have a positive impact on my creative process.
I also hope this isn’t a one-time thing. It would be great to see moments like this become part of a steady rhythm for Georgian artists.
Tell us a bit more about your journey as a photographer. Who or what has shaped your artistic style the most?
Giorgi Shengelia:
If I had to put it simply, it’s been life — people, coincidences, intuition. Everything I’ve lived through has left its mark on how I see and experience things, and how I choose to express it through photography. I haven’t followed a strict artistic doctrine or studied under a specific school of thought. My style has been shaped gradually, through everyday moments and personal experiences.
Why did you choose to present Accidental Portraits at Bonhams? What makes this series significant for you?
Giorgi Shengelia:
This series is very personal to me — it marks a turning point in my practice. The works I selected come from a body of work that’s both biographical and emotionally pivotal. It felt like the right one to share.
Bonhams is a global auction house known for its high standards and curatorial rigor. What aspect of your art do you hope resonates with an international audience?
Giorgi Shengelia:
Honestly, I didn’t think about sending a specific message. For me, this is about presenting a small piece of Georgian photography — letting it exist and be seen. The fact that something so small in scale — both literally and culturally — is entering such a big arena feels meaningful in itself. Everything that builds around it from here is just a bonus.
What’s the broader significance of this first Georgian auction, in your opinion? And how do you see Georgian art evolving right now?
Giorgi Shengelia:
Georgian photography is expanding beyond our borders — and I think Georgians are genuinely good at working with this medium. I believe we’ll keep seeing more and more meaningful steps taken by Georgian artists in the years ahead.
If you could collaborate with any Georgian or international photographer, who would you choose — and why?
Giorgi Shengelia:
That’s a tough one — there are so many artists I admire, not just photographers. I honestly couldn’t choose just one. Luckily, it’s a good problem to have.
Photos courtesy of Giorgi Shengelia and Gallery Fotoatelier.
Georgian Art Now, which marks the first historic sale of Georgian works at a major international auction house, is open for bidding. The sale closes on May 29. For details please visit.
