This July, Frieze’s No.9 Cork Street is set to present a captivating group show featuring Tbilisi based galleries, from the vibrant capital of Georgia. As the world’s leading platform for modern and contemporary art, Frieze is dedicated to fostering the talents of artists, galleries, collectors, and art enthusiasts. Located in the historic heart of Mayfair, London, No.9 Cork Street serves as Frieze’s first permanent exhibition space for international galleries.
The upcoming exhibition showcases five dynamic, young, female-run galleries in Tbilisi: E.A Shared Space, Gallery 4710, The Why Not Gallery, MAUDI, and CH64 Gallery. In collaboration with Reach Art Visual, the show constructs its narrative around two central pillars in the history of Georgian abstraction. This event not only offers a profound glimpse into Georgian art and culture but also highlights the emerging voices amid the nation’s rising political and social upheaval. It stands as a powerful testament to the resilient and vibrant spirit of Georgian artists, celebrating their significant contributions to the global art scene.
In this article we will go deeper and explore Reach Art Visual’s concept for the exhibition and the artists they are showcasing at the Frieze No.9 Cork Street.
Reach Art Visual presents a captivating exhibition focusing on the rich and varied world of abstract art through the lens of three distinguished Georgian artists: Alexander Bandzeladze, Lia Bagrationi, and Tamuna Sirbiladze. Drawn from an esteemed private collection, this exhibition celebrates the unique artistic styles and thematic explorations of these artists, offering a profound insight into the dynamic and evolving field of Georgian abstractionism.
The exhibition aims to create a spatial dialogue that showcases the diversity of visual language within Georgian abstractionism. Bandzeladze’s sophisticated synthesis of color and form, Bagrationi’s vibrant landscapes, and Sirbiladze’s emotive, gestural abstraction provide distinct perspectives and artistic approaches. Each artist’s work serves as proof of their individual artistic gaze, environmental observation, and thematic focus, reflecting their contributions to the abstract art movement over the decades.
This exhibition not only highlights the unique contributions of Alexander Bandzeladze, Lia Bagrationi and Tamuna Sirbiladze, but also celebrates the rich diversity and dynamic evolution of abstract art in Georgia. Through the interplay of these artistic techniques and thematic explorations, the R.A.V. curatorial selection offers profound insight into the dynamic and ever-evolving field of Georgian abstractionism.
Featured Artists:
Alexander Bandzeladze (1927-1992) is an outstanding representative of the so-called 1960s Generation in Georgian art space. His artistic exploration spans a broad spectrum, beginning as early as the 1950s during the Soviet period. Bandzeladze was experimenting and searching for different styles and worked with the same passion in painting and graphics; he was a master of book illustration and a monumental artist.
During the 1960s the artist’s pursuit of non-figurative expression was driven by intuitive sensitivity and creative empirical observation. Alexander Bandzeladze’s name is associated with the development of Georgian abstract expressionism and the formation of the 80s generation of Georgian nonconformist artists. His work is hugely significant to the history of the development of new Georgian art.
Alexander Bandzeladze’s late non-figurative abstract paintings from the 1980s epitomize the synthesis of his artistic exploration and observations. In this period, Bandzeladze masterfully employed a soft palette and strategic use of color to create a harmonious yet contrasting visual experience. One notable piece from this period, “Dream by Drunk Noah,” encapsulates Bandzeladze’s inspiration drawn from religious motifs. The painting reflects the artist’s individual perspective, weaving a narrative that transcends literal interpretation.
Lia Bagrationi (1957), a modern Georgian artist, is a member of the International Academy of Ceramics (IAC). She is co-founder of the Georgian Ceramic Art and Craft Foundation, The Clay Office and an associate professor at Tbilisi State Arts Academy. Her works are preserved in both local and international collections.
Lia Bagrationi, renowned for her plethora of innovative ideas and experimental work throughout her extensive career, approaches the elemental issues of time, space and human existence with a deeply philosophical lens. Lia’s artistic vision finds its manifestation across diverse mediums and materials such as clay objects, mixed media installations, fabrics, paintings, drawings.
“The View from My Window” series features the recurring perspective from the artist’s residence, meticulously captured on canvas. The focal point of this series is a piece depicting from the window of her studio place. Lia Bagrationi’s dynamic palette and varied forms creates vivid and evocative scenes in her landscapes. Her use of carefully designed borders enhances the composition, guiding the viewer’s gaze and immersing them in the artist’s unique horizon.
Tamuna Sirbiladze (1971-2016). Tamuna was born in Tbilisi, Georgia in 1971. From 1989 to 1994 she studied at Tbilisi state academy of art in Tbilisi, where she gained a degree. After moving to Vienna in 1997, she studied at the academy of fine arts (until 2003), where her teacher was Franz Graf. In 2003 she further extended her studies at the Slade school of fine arts in London. In the meantime, she had met the artist Franz West, whom she married in 2002, and with whom she collaborated on several art-projects and works until his death in 2012.
Always very active, she was included in a group exhibition as soon as she moved to Vienna. Over the years, she made a huge body of works encompassing installations, videos, site-specific projects and an enormous amount of paintings, which she exhibited in various exhibitions in Galleries and Museums all over Europe, like 2001 Plakatentwürfe with Gisela Capitain in Cologne (cooperating with Franz West), 2007 in concurrence with ColletPark Gallery in Paris, 2008 Painting and Elements with Jonathan Viner in London, 2010 Laszive Lockungen with Charim Unger in Berlin.
Tamuna Sirbiladze’s artistic oeuvre is distinguished by a unique style of abstraction that fuses expressive dynamism with an intimate sensitivity to form and color. Sirbiladze’s abstract forms often evoke a sense of organic fluidity, reminiscent of natural phenomena yet firmly rooted in the realm of the abstract. Exploring themes of sexuality and vulnerability, Sirbiladze’s works stand as compelling testaments to the power of abstraction to convey the depths of human experience and emotion.
To conclude, Reach Art Visual (R.A.V.) is ready to curate a powerful exhibition at Frieze No.9 Cork Street, illuminating the rich and dynamic world of Georgian abstractionism. This exhibition will not only highlight the unique contributions of these artists but also will underscore the importance of preserving and promoting Georgian art on a global stage.
Reach Art Visual (R.A.V.) is a visual art consulting company specializing in art identity-oriented experiences focused on thematic essence. R.A.V.’s organizational vision is centered on discovering hidden treasures and reflecting on both historical and current dynamics of the Georgian art scene. By providing research-based curatorial and multimedia projects, R.A.V. shares invaluable knowledge about the Georgian artistic field, promoting deeper understanding and appreciation of Georgian art.
