Irakli Gamrekeli 130

Celebrating 130 Years of Irakli Gamrekeli’s Artistic Legacy in a Captivating Exhibition

This year marks the 130th anniversary of the birth of the distinguished Georgian artist, illustrator, and scenographer, Irakli Gamrekeli.

Art Phuti (NNLE) is organising a retrospective exhibition featuring the works of Irakli Gamrekeli at the D. Shevardnadze National Gallery. The exhibition is scheduled to run from March 14 to April 14, 2024.

Irakli Gamrekeli stands out as a prominent figure in the Georgian avant-garde movement. His artistic prowess is most vividly manifested in the realm of scenography. His distinctive style, characterised by exaggerated theatrical gestures and facial expressions, can be described as an expressionist form of mannerism.

Irakli Gamrekeli stands as one of the founding figures of Georgian theatre art. Collaborating with fellow innovators in Georgian theatre, Konstantine (Kote) Marjanishvili and Alexander (Sandro) Akhmeteli, he played a crucial role in establishing the theoretical foundations of the field. Through a combination of innovative explorations and bold experiments, they revitalised the traditions of Georgian spectacular theatre.

The aim of the jubilee exhibition dedicated to Irakli Gamrekeli is to showcase, once again, all stages of the artist’s creativity and highlight his significant contributions to the development of Georgian fine art and scenography.

For the first time, the exhibition will feature Irakli Gamrekeli’s works from the early period of scenography, along with previously unknown examples of book graphics, sketches of the artist’s designed opera and ballet performances, and a video collage that emphasises Irakli Gamrekeli’s contributions to film painting.

The exhibition showcases artworks by Irakli Gamrekeli from diverse collections, including those from the Shalva Amiranashvili State Museum of Art, Art Palace, Rustaveli National Theatre, and Marjanishvili Drama Theatre. Additionally, pieces are featured from the collections of Gamrekeli Gallery and the private collections of Archil Darchia, Maka, and Eka Arbolishvili.

All the organisations and individuals mentioned above played an active role in the collaborative effort to produce the anniversary book album honouring the work of Irakli Gamrekeli. The electronic version of this publication was prepared with the backing of the Ministry of Culture and Sports of Georgia.

Exhibition Opening: March 14 at 18:00

Address: D. Shevardnadze National Gallery, Shota Rustaveli Ave., N11, Tbilisi.

Project Head: Khatuna Kikvadze