A new exhibition by British artist Brendan Jackson opened in Tbilisi on February 24, shedding light on the little-known history of the British military presence in the Caucasus between 1918 and 1920.
Titled ‘Black Country, Black Sea’, the exhibition expands on Jackson’s recently published book and accompanying website. The project traces the journeys of British soldiers, including Indian troops serving under the British Empire, who were stationed in the Caucasus region, including Georgia, during the turbulent years following World War I.
Rediscovering a shared history
Jackson’s research was sparked by the discovery that several young soldiers buried in Batumi, Tbilisi and Baku were originally from his native Black Country region of Britain. Many of these soldiers were only formally commemorated in recent years by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
Through archival research conducted in both the United Kingdom and Georgia, the artist uncovered previously unseen photographs and historical materials. These findings provide new insight into the brief period of cooperation between the British Empire and the Democratic Republic of Georgia.
Exhibition and book presentation
The opening included a presentation of Jackson’s book, offering visitors additional context on the historical investigation behind the project.
The exhibition will take place at the Tbilisi Photography & Multimedia Museum, located at 14 M. Kostava Street (Hotel Stamba, D Block, Floor I) and will remain open until March 15. The event is supported by Tbilisi Photo Festival.
