Espresso Shot: Tbilisi Independent in London

A very exciting initiative was just on view in London July 2-27 showcasing contemporary Georgian art as part of Frieze Official.

‘Tbilisi Independent’ highlighted five young, female-run galleries from the Georgian capital: E.A Shared Space, Gallery 4710, The Why Not Gallery, MAUDI, and CH64 Gallery. A collaboration with Reach Art Visual, the exhibition builds its narrative around two central pillars in the history of Georgian abstraction: Alexander Bandzeladze (1927–1992) and Tamuna Sirbiladze (1971–2016), including artists such as Lia Bagrationi, Mariana Chkonia and Sopho Kobidze.
The show then brings the story into the present day with outstanding figurative works by contemporary artists Anuk Beluga, Saba Gorgodze, Merab Gugunashvili, Gvantsa Jishkariani, Giorgi Khaniashvili, Niniko Morbedadze, Tamar Nadiradze, Temple Pharmacy and Nata Varazi. The result is an exhibition that offers a compelling insight into Georgian art and culture, and the emerging voices in the country amid rising political and social upheaval.

Images above are of six gallery founders and their responses to my question:
Why is it important to do this collaboration now?

Installation shots and Nini Darchia portrait credit: Katarzyna Perlak @katarzyna_perlak
Elene Abashidze portrait credit: Andro Eradze @androeradze
Elene Kapanadze and Gvantsa Jishkariani: Sera Dzneladze @seradzneladze

Cover image: Niniko Morbedadze, from the series ‘We love animals’, 2024. Acrylic, india ink and pencil on paper, 70 × 50 cm