By Dr. Amir Pichhadze
The diaspora of a nation can play a role in nation building. It can do so in various ways, such as through the arts. This was the message shared by Georgia’s Speaker of Parliament, Shalva Papuashvili, at Georgia’s Annual Diaspora Forum. He praised Georgian communities abroad for consistently serving as a bridge between Georgia and their host countries. They have played a significant role in promoting the country’s culture, traditions, faith, and values, as well as advocating for Georgia’s national interests. Referring to Georgia’s diaspora, he remarked that it serves “as the people’s envoys and narrators of our history.” He mentioned a ‘Georgian Calligraphy’ competition and exhibition as an example of the diaspora’s involvement. This event invited students to portray Georgian script and calligraphy as visual expressions of Georgian history, culture, and values. He urged for “continued dialogue and cooperation with our diaspora and working together for Georgia’s bright, peaceful, and successful future.”
The purpose of this article is to share how my father, Jacob Pichhadze, and I, Dr. Amir Pichhadze, have sought to contribute to Georgia’s nation-building from overseas, through the arts and culture.
Jacob Pichhadze was born and raised in a town called Surami, in Georgia’s Shida Kartli region. There, he was exposed to Georgia’s mountainous landscapes, which included monasteries and fortresses, typically located on mountain tops. He was also inspired by Georgian icon paintings, some of which have a centuries long history.
From an early age, Jacob practiced painting using traditional mediums, styles, and techniques. His favorite and dominant motif at the time was Georgian landscapes.
Growing up, he further developed his artistic knowledge and skills through studies at the Tbilisi State Academy of Arts, where he had the opportunity to be taught by notable artists such as Konstantin Makharadze and Zurab Nizharadze. Jacob’s artworks received prizes, were featured in newspapers, and were displayed at the Georgia National Museum in 1970.
Jacob and his wife, Zinaida, immigrated to Israel in 1972. There, he quickly gained recognition for his art, which was exhibited at numerous museums and cultural institutions across the country. His achievements were extensively covered by the news media. In addition to recognition for his artwork, Jacob was also recognized for his philanthropic activities, which involved raising funds for numerous charities and causes that served the public good.
Jacob played an active role in developing and engaging with the Georgian community in Israel. His goals included facilitating a sense of community among the Georgian diaspora in Israel, as well as exposing Israeli society to Georgian culture and aiding assimilation.
For example, in 1984, Jacob organized a group exhibition of Georgian artists at the Bat-Yam Museum of Contemporary Art.
In the same year, Jacob also helped organize a cultural art event celebrating Georgia Day in Israel. The event was held at the Cultural Hall of Ashdod and was attended by notable figures such as Mordechai ‘Motta’ Gur (former Minister of Health and Chief of Staff of the IDF) and Aryeh Azula (former Mayor of Ashdod), among others.
Similarly, in 1985, Jacob took part in organizing an art exhibition to commemorate 15 years of Jewish Georgian immigration to Israel. The exhibition was held at the Mann Auditorium (Hall of Culture) in Tel Aviv. Guests of honor included former Israeli Prime Ministers Yitzhak Shamir and Ariel Sharon, Minister of Tourism Avraham Sharir, and Arieh Dulzin, President of the World Zionist Organization. Jacob’s painting of his wife was chosen for the cover of the exhibition catalogue, with a Georgian landscape as the background.
Jacob also played a key role in mobilizing the Georgian community to support philanthropy in Israel. For example, in 1985, he helped organize and participated in an art exhibition that raised funds for Ethiopian refugees. The fundraiser took place at the official residence of Prime Minister Shimon Peres.
In an article written by renowned journalist Noah Klieger for the national Yediot Ahronoth newspaper, Jacob explained the influence of Georgian art and culture on his own work. He also discussed his dedication to using art to support other immigrant Georgian artists, as well as other charitable causes.
In 1982, Jacob participated in a TV documentary about the Georgian community in Israel, exploring their links to Georgia and their assimilation in Israel. The documentary can be found online The documentary can be found online (Part 1 & Part 2).
Before Jacob and his family immigrated to Canada, David Peled, Director of Beit Nurit (a charity supported by Jacob), remarked that “Jacob Pichhadze, an artist and teacher, is a man of inspiration possessing powerful artistic expression. He is also a prominent public personality among Jewish immigrants from Russia and Soviet Georgia” (1987).
When my family immigrated to Canada in 1988, my father sought to share Georgian culture with the Canadian community through his artwork. His works featured Georgian landscapes, culture, characters, and motifs. In 1989, Patricia (Pat) Fleisher, former Editor of Artpost magazine and art critic, wrote about Jacob’s Canadian premier exhibition. As she noted, at the Galerie Heritage in Toronto’s Yorkville district, Jacob exhibited a collection of works influenced by his native Georgia (Artpost, Summer 1989, p.19).
In Canada, Jacob’s artworks evolved and diversified in subject matter, motifs, styles, and techniques. They included representational art of people, landscapes, and still-life, as well as modern expressionist, impressionist, surrealistic, and abstract art. Jacob employed various mediums, including oils, pastels, acrylics, watercolors, charcoal, and pencils. A selection of his artworks can be viewed through the following slideshows:
Jacob’s entry into the Canadian art scene was discussed in a televised interview aired on NEWCON TV, in 1996.
Several years later, in a televised documentary titled “Georgia From Overseas”, Jacob further reflected on his Georgian roots and how his experiences in Canada had influenced his artistic development.
My father’s example, as an artist and public figure, has inspired me from a young age. Growing up, I too demonstrated an aptitude and inclination toward art. Over the years, we have collaborated on creating art. Some recent examples were published in Excalibur newspaper. At York University, where I studied visual arts, Professor Ken Carpenter (Chair of the Visual Arts Department and President of the Canadian Section of the International Association of Art Critics) remarked, “In the history of the Visual Arts Department, we have not had an occasion like this where a student has shown the particular kind of ability that Amir has shown. We are very proud of Amir!” (Canadian Jewish News, April 23, 1998).
Examples of my artworks, some of which were featured at the University of Oxford, can be viewed in this slideshow:
Like my father, I have sought to use my art for the public good. For example, while studying visual arts at t York University, I organized a fundraising art exhibition for student scholarships. One of the guests of honor at the opening reception was Toronto’s Deputy Mayor, Case Ootes. In his words, Amir “is helping to define the soul of the new city through culture… obviously from what I’ve seen, he’s got a promising future” (York University’s Excalibur, March 4, 1998). Fast forward to that future: Over the years, I pursued extensive education and work in different disciplines such as art, law, and education, at leading institutions including the University of Oxford, the London School of Economics, and the University of Michigan Law School.
Currently, I am studying Arts Management and Art History at the University of Toronto. There, I found a community of Georgian students who, like me, are keen to contribute to nation-building for Georgia through the arts and culture. For example, in 2024, the Georgian Students Association at the University of Toronto organized an exhibition called “Travel to Georgia,” which featured artworks from various periods of Georgian history, frescoes, ancient wall patterns, literary works, photos of Georgia, Georgian food, and more. I too recently contributed to this effort by sharing with the university community some of the artworks Jacob and I have created about Georgia, showcasing our interpretations and impressions of Georgian landscapes. Some of these are reproduced here.
It is hoped that our experiences and examples will inspire others to contribute to Georgia’s nation-building from overseas.
