Another month, another excitement to introduce one more successful young artist of the first BI Auction Competition for Young Artists (2019–2020).
Mako Lomadze participated with many artworks that immediately catch the eye and hold the viewer’s attention. “Not only the sharp, striking colors she uses but also the themes she explores make you curious about her personality—one she keeps at a slight distance from the viewer,” says Bengü Akçardak Küçük, Co-Founder of BI Auction.
In 2020, Mako Lomadze was selected as the BI Auction Competition winner. In this interview, she shares how that moment impacted her career, her thoughts on the current state of the art world, and what she’s working on now.
You won the BI Auction Competition in 2020. What has hppened in your artistic journey since?
The BI Auction in 2020 happened to be the first auction I participated in. Around that period, I was already immersed in expanding my practice and exploring new directions.
Over the past five years, my career has evolved steadily and meaningfully—both in Georgia and internationally. I’ve developed major projects, exhibited abroad, and taken part in multiple artist residencies.
My works have entered institutional and private collections across Europe, Georgia, and North America. It has been a time of consistent growth, deepening my vision and widening my network, with a focus on emotionally and conceptually layered storytelling through painting and installation.
How do you feel/ evaluate the situation regarding art and artists these days?
The art world today is both fragile and vibrant. While structural challenges remain—especially for emerging and independent artists—I sense a growing global urgency to support meaningful art practices that address our social, political, and ecological realities. Artists are adapting, building new communities, and reimagining ways of working.
Despite the difficulties, I remain hopeful and inspired by the resilience and solidarity I see in the creative field.
What is ahead in terms of projects and events for you?
I’m currently preparing for upcoming art residencies in Spain and Italy, as well as an exhibition in Switzerland. In parallel, several other projects are in development, both solo and collaborative, which I look forward to sharing more about soon.
By Team GT
