George Abramidze was born in 1966 in Georgia. He graduated from art school in 1983. In 1988-1991 he studied in Kharkiv State Institute of Arts in Ukraine, and in 1993 he graduated from Tbilisi State Academy of Arts. Since 1989 had participated in multiple international and group exhibitions in Georgia and abroad.
In his art, he focuses on easel painting, monumental paintings, graphic sculptures, large installations and objects.
George is a member of the Artists Union of Georgia, BBK Bundesverband Bildender Künstlerinnen und Künstler (Federal Association of Artists, Germany), and the International Federation of Artists UNESCO. His works are in public and private collections in Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Lithuania, Turkey, Russia, Slovakia, Greece, Spain, France, China, and the USA.
In his series of paintings, "Happy Houses", George attempts to recreate houses of Tbilisi, his native town. Tbilisi known for its hospitality, wine and hanging out with friends until dawn.
These houses resemble swallow nests built on the side of a cliff nested one on top of the other. These dwellings are always open to guests and visitors, they’re welcoming and alive. These houses will remind you that they’re also your houses and an ever-lasting live history is preserved in them from the ancient times until today. And that new history must be written with the same romanticism, tenderness, happiness, humor, joy and love by you.
Tbilisi, Georgia. 2020. Oil on Canvas
Isani
On the long and dangerous Silk Road, traversing across deserts and unfamiliar lands, we are carrying the weight of our homes, our past, our family and our memories.
Tbilisi, Georgia. 2020. Oil on canvas
Gomi
There's this understated harmony in this painting by George. On the three color background of the black land, green nature and blue sky, there's a crooked house. Yet, the house fits perfectly into its environment, enhances and completes it. Who lived there before? Who lives there now? Who's going to live there next?
Tbilisi, Georgia. 2019. Oil on canvas
Smile of a stranger
Along with the Happy Houses, George is displaying her versatility with this series of abstract painting. Abstracts don't have recognizable figures and symbols, they're completely open to viewer's interpretation. Intentionally. And every time, we ask George to explain us the meaning of this works, he politely declines :)
Tbilisi, Georgia. 2020. Oil on Canvas
Samghebro
Dinners in Georgia last for hours. It is a long tradition, especially when a guests visit your house. Anthony Bourdain has a great episode on it. Let's just says that even Bourdain, who tried almost every cuisine in this world, could barely get up after a real Georgia meal.
Tbilisi, Georgia. 2020. Oil on canvas
Shardeni
Yet, besides just painting Georgian houses, Abramidze's series is a great example of study in form. His two-dimensional paintings are sculptures on canvas where their form is just as important as the colors he is using. A simple geometrical rectangle changes our perception of his work through different aspect ratio, through curved lines, textures of stucco, position of windows and balconies.
Tbilisi, Georgia. 2020. Oil on canvas
Sololaki
Notice how changes in form affect our feelings about a painting. Seemingly almost the same, yet totally different character and personality. That personality of immovable objects is what surprises us. These are not just cold and inanimate objects, but quite the opposite. There's something intriguing, dynamic and alive about them.
tbilisi, georgia. 2019. oil on canvas
Lullaby
George Abramidze also often mixes abstract and figurative styles. The line between them is always blurry. In this surrealistic work he painted two fishes nested in each other as Russian nesting dolls, Matryoshka.
But yet, to understand George Abramidze's work, it is important to see the context, the environment where he lives and creates, his lovely Republic of Georgia.
