One of Georgia’s most famous artists Zurab Nijaradze will be exhibiting at The Air Gallery from 5-10 October. A painter with decades of experience, Zurab is also Professor of the Tbilisi Academy of Arts and is an Honorary Member of the Russian Academy of Arts.
Born in 1928 and now in his eighties, he is visiting London for the first time since the 1960s. Zurab may be entering his twilight years, but his energy, ideas and enthusiasm continue to flow and shows no signs of slowing down. His life and career have spanned over many years of constant changes and he has had to face and adapt to many challenges in Georgia.
In the 1960s he was one of the artists who openly opposed Socialist Realism. He was expelled twice from the Academy of Arts for Formulism. He introduced a different, new artistic reality, a new direction and a new way of thinking into the construction of his work; he was regarded as being one of life’s true innovators.
His unique style, ideas and tastes have conquered viewers. The series of portraits and genre paintings are impressed with unusual spiritual depth and lavishness of colour. These pictures have become a great source of inspiration for artists, admirers and collectors in the former Soviet Union. From his popularity it was impossible for the authorities to ignore and gradually they admitted this by officially recognising his talent in honouring him the prestigious title of the People’s Artist of Georgia.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union the restrictions eased and the borders became more open. This new situation now allowed an international audience to appreciate and admire the works of all the great Georgian artists- Zurab being one of them.
It is a difficult time in Georgia and only people who are highly organised and highly intellectual are able to go on with their work, remaining at their easels, wrapped in warm shawls, keeping their personalities untouched. This is Zurab Nijaradze, a versatile artist, an intellectual.
His works are like small glasses in a magic pipe – they mix and shine as the surface of the sea, as the blue sky, as reddish mountains covered with autumn woods.
“Circus” –playfulness, lightness, glitter of colours; his nudes are on the surface of the canvas as a memory, as an anticipation, or love. Pictures – kaleidoscopes, pictures – treasures, pictures – endless as life.
God bless Zurab and give him strength to work and overcome obstacles.
Natasha Nesterova, Artist
Zurab’s work can be found in public collections such as the State Museum of Art, The Museum of Modern Art and the Museum of Theatre and Cinema in Tbilisi, The State Tretyakov Gallery and Museum of Eastern Peoples, Moscow, The National Gallery of Rio de Janeiro and the Museum of Modern Art, Aakhen, Germany.
His paintings also form important additions to many private art collections such as those of Pope Paul II, Madeleine Albright (former US State Secretary), Gerhard Schroeder (former German Chancellor) and Hans Dietrich Genscher (Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany).
This exhibition has been kindly sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Monument Protection of Georgia and is organised by theEnglish Speaking Union of Georgia
Curated by Marina Tsitsishvili & George Laliashvili
5th – 10th October 2009
11am-6pm Monday- Saturday
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