In my personal and professional life, I believe in the importance of ‘silent’ times for better projects, as they give me the chance to reflect on the past and shape a better future. I can proudly say that one of the best projects is BI Auction’s Competition ‘for Young Artists,’ which gives us the opportunity to introduce dozens of young artists every year, – says BI Auction Co-Founder Bengü Akçardak Küçük. With this new interview series, GEORGIA TODAY introduces its readers to the artistic journey of successful artists, beginning with the BI Auction 2020 competition winner, Mariam Shakarashvili
Comparing now with the period before the 2020 competition, what positive changes have occurred in your artistic journey? Have new opportunities arisen in Georgia or abroad?
BI Auction is one of the most significant projects in the Georgian art scene, aiming to support the younger generation of artists and help them pave their way. I have been participating since 2016, during my student years, and I can say it was one of the first serious milestones in my biography. For me, as a young artist at that time, it served as a great source of motivation: exhibiting alongside renowned Georgian artists and having my paintings sold alongside theirs boosted my confidence, helped me gain recognition from a wider audience, and connected me with new collectors. In 2021, won BI Auction’s Young Artists’ Competition, which was another joyful milestone in my career.
I can say that every stage of my creative journey has been exciting, but the most essential and significant steps have been taken after 2020. This progress is linked to several key events in my life, one of which is winning the BI Auction award.
How do you feel about the current situation in the art world for artists?
Today, Georgia is going through a very difficult time, and although I strive to keep moving forward, the current events inevitably have a significant impact on both my creative process and my overall mood. The most distressing feeling is the sense that, despite all efforts, you cannot change anything — the feeling of powerlessness is hard to bear. Nevertheless, I hope that our commitment to our principles, the unity of society, and our perseverance will yield results, and we will succeed in achieving the well-being of our country.
What are your upcoming projects or events in the near future?
In today’s reality, it is difficult to make long-term plans. However, we still have several important international projects scheduled in the near future. Among them, one of the most significant is Ria Keburia’s residency in Cannes, which is being organized in collaboration with the Georgian gallery ERISTAVI, based in Belgium, and the Ria Keburia Foundation.
By Team GT
