Misha Iashvili 70

From September 3 to September 15, The Dimitri Shevardnadze National Gallery, with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Sports of Georgia, present Misha Iashvili 70, the solo exhibition of Mikheil Iashvili.

In the 1980s, a new generation of artists brought a significant shift in the Georgian art scene. They redefined it with innovative forms and content, reviving once-forgotten traditional and religious themes. This period is characterized by a reinterpretation of artistic forms and a passionate pursuit of individual creativity, which defines the essence of Georgian painting from this era.

Mikheil (Misha)  Iashvili (1954-2012) was an exceptionally charismatic artist of his generation. He graduated from the Tbilisi State Academy of Arts in 1979 and continued his studies in the creative workshop of Ucha Japaradze from 1981 to 1983. Iashvili was a leading member of the Union of Artists of Georgia from 1989 to 1999. In the 1990s, he also served as president of the artists’ club Pirosmani, and from 2009 to 2012, he was a visiting professor at the Tbilisi State Academy of Arts.

Mikheil Iashvili’s biography is as dynamic and multifaceted as his art. Not only was he a prolific artist, but he also organized numerous projects and exhibitions both in Georgia and internationally. His influence extended well beyond his creative works. The art events he curated – whether in bustling cities, remote villages, or the courtyards of Old Tbilisi – were often spontaneous and celebrated as true artistic festivities. As his friends recall, Misha was a passionate visionary, exceptionally dedicated and effective in realizing his ideas, yet also an irrepressible romantic…

Mikheil Iashvili’s artistic output is remarkably diverse, encompassing paintings, graphics, collages, and a range of styles and experiments.  Each piece bears the imprint of his distinctive vision, imbued with a subtle charm.  Throughout his career, he has participated in approximately 160 exhibitions, both nationally and internationally. His work has been displayed in numerous countries, including Germany, Switzerland, Norway, France, Italy, Japan, Poland, Hungary, Malta, and Egypt, with 16 of these being solo exhibitions