His famous gallery on Riga Street in Tbilisi was overflowing that beautiful evening of May 5th—an evening far removed from any sunset in the vigorous creative life of sculptor Giorgi (Gia) Japaridze. At 80, he remains as prolific and captivating as he has been for the past 60 years. This nation—and not only this one—knows him well and loves him for his absolutely distinctive style in sculpture, drawing, and painting. The subtle, lithe lines of his miniature or monumental sculptural figures draw the eye so powerfully that once you look at them, you want to prolong that moment of enjoyment.
Gia’s sculptures and paintings speak to you directly, captivating the gaze to the point of reverie, inspiring spontaneous imagery in the viewer’s mind—a continuation of life through art. It is his emotional intuition and freedom of form that make his works so valuable. In his remarkable sculptural figures, human, mythological, and folkloric characters find renewed life, telling their old stories in fresh and often intriguingly quizzical ways.
Gia Japaridze graduated from the Tbilisi Academy of Arts in 1968 and completed his postgraduate studies there in 1972. Since then, his agile hands and talented mind have known no rest, producing hundreds of artworks, both large and small, now housed in national museums and galleries in Georgia and abroad. Some of his works have found permanent homes in the collections of notable figures such as Pope John Paul II, King Juan Carlos I, and President Jimmy Carter. His numerous exhibitions have been held in Germany, Greece, Switzerland, and the United States, to name a few.
The sculptural composition Rendezvous, situated on the rails of the Baratashvili Bridge in Tbilisi, has become one of the city’s most beloved landmarks. The statue of Mikheil Tumanishvili, the renowned Georgian theater director, stands proudly in front of the drama theater named after him, and is among Japaridze’s outstanding works—not to mention his compositions Spring in Tbilisi and Dedashviloba (Mother & Child Unity).
A recipient of numerous honors, Gia Japaridze is an honorary citizen of Mtskheta, the ancient capital of Georgia, and has been twice awarded the Order of Merit of Georgia. As one of the most cherished instructors at his alma mater, he has passed his knowledge and spirit on to generations of students.
Gia Japaridze
Beyond his immense artistic value to the nation, it is Gia Japaridze’s human nature that matters even more. His warm personality and unwavering willingness to help others have lifted many of his fellow citizens in times of need. No matter how busy his life became, he always found time and energy to share his generous spirit with those around him.
The beautiful soiree celebrating the esteemed sculptor’s 80th jubilee was emotionally led by academician Valery Asatiani in his characteristically elegant and intellectual style, highlighting every precious moment of Gia’s long and meaningful life. The accompanying exhibition was masterfully curated, displaying nearly every piece from the sculptor’s lifetime of creative endeavor. As one admirer at the event remarked, “If our beloved Sakartvelo is still alive and breathing, it is only thanks to great men like Gia Japaridze, who continue to live in this beautiful land.”
Blog by Nugzar B. Ruhadze
