The Tbilisi art community has undergone a remarkable transformation, characterized by the emergence of numerous galleries and nonprofit organizations, – Lisa Offermann, co-founder of Tbilisi-based gallery LC Queisser, tells Katie Ruth Davies in her article for Art Basel’s online portal. “Despite facing challenges such as very little governmental support and institutional backing, our community has attracted considerable global attention, a testament to our resilience and creativity.”
And so kicks off an intriguing look into Tbilisi’s contemporary art scene and the artists contributing to that scene, whom the author notes are undoubtedly influenced not only by the wonderful juxtaposition of modern and traditional in the local architecture, cuisine and business culture, but also the painful memories and long-lasting consequences of the “dark 90s” in Georgia.
“Despite the daunting conditions of the 1990s…artists kept their creative drive, refusing to relent in their endeavors,” Vanda Mujiri, founder of the Vanda Art Gallery, tells the Art Basel author.
In reading the article, one discovers not only the warm hospitality and wealth of touristic opportunities offered by this small country, but also the wonderful, innovative, dark, meaningful and explorative works being shared globally by Georgia’s resilient artists. Among the names dropped are the internationally renowned Andro Wekua, Thea Djordjadze, Anna K.E., and Ketuta Alexi-Meskhishvili, and Tbilisi-based Tolia Astakhishvili, Nika Kutateladze and Beka Sakvarelidze. Indeed, the author of the piece told GEORGIA TODAY that she regrets that she didn’t have space to mention more!
“Georgia is incredibly rich in thought-provoking contemporary artists,” Davies tells us. “It was simply too many to name in my Art Basel article. However, as many of them are deservedly already well on their way to international fame, thanks to the numerous supporting galleries, art-, fashion- and photography fairs that draw crowds here from near and far, if you haven’t heard their names yet, you will soon!”
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Art Basel, a for-profit international art fair, is held annually in Basel, Switzerland; Miami Beach; Hong Kong; and as of 2022, Paris. Privately owned and managed, Art Basel collaborates with local institutions in host cities to foster the growth and development of art programs. While serving as a platform for galleries to showcase and sell their work to buyers, Art Basel has also garnered a substantial international following among art enthusiasts and students. Art Basel kicked off in the 1970s when Swiss gallerists Ernst Beyeler, Trudl Bruckner and Balz Hilt created an international art fair that became an immediate, roaring success, with 16,000 visitors, 90 galleries and 30 publishers from 10 countries in attendance, setting a trend that continues today. Check out their wide selection of articles and videos online at artbasel.com.
By Team GT
