LEVAN LAGIDZE: COMING BACK
Katrine Levin Galleries
19th November – 19th December 2020
online and interactive exhibition
Levan Lagidze, hailed as a living legend, is one of Georgia’s most significant living artists. Coming Back, the new online exhibition with international gallerist, Katrine Levin, is meant in the broader sense of coming back to ourselves; to what is most important in life, to the deeper truths that we often ignore while running on the constant treadmill of life as we know it.
Lagidze’s charm and affable nature contrasts with the intensity and punch-like power of his art. Creating a composition, he says, is like “measuring eternity with careful steps.” Seeing one of his artworks is never enough. He paints within paintings – art within artworks; a mosaic of gems that make a masterpiece. His works are full of life, crammed with energy and show you something new every time.
Lagidze’s abstract paintings amplify the rich, cultural essence of his home country. Here you see the spectacular land and cityscapes of Georgia come alive with hidden colours, deep textures – works that go far beneath the surface. On show are all new works, including 22 pieces from Lagidze’s My Journey sub-series of gemlike and playful small works (each only 35 x 32cm) where he urges you to create a mosaic according to your imagination and feelings. This sub-series references Levan’s own creative journey and captures his key philosophy to share experiences in harmony and gratitude.
Coming Back is a collection of joyful works which convey the message of togetherness and of hope. In these odd times, it is a pleasure to view high art that is optimistic and lifting of the spirit.
The exhibition website will be regularly updated with new videos, including ‘behind-the-scenes’ footage as well as further information about the artworks and the artist.
About the Artist
Born in 1958 in Tbilisi, Georgia (then part of the Soviet Union), Lagidze graduated from Tbilisi State Academy of Arts in 1981. He founded and led an artist’s studio at the Tbilisi Artists’ House in 1983 and served as Chairman of Georgia´s Young Artists’ Union from 1986 to 1989. In the early 1990s he supported struggling Georgian artists in the economically turbulent and violent decade following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. In the calmer times of 2011, he founded the Lagidze gallery in Tbilisi to showcase his own works. His works are collected by museums across Georgia, Russia, other former USSR block countries, and the United States, including:
· The Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow, Russia;
· The Modern Art Museum, Moscow, Russia;
· The National Picture Gallery, Tbilisi, Georgia;
· The Batumi State Gallery, Batumi, Georgia;
· The Zimmerli Art Museum, Rutgers University, NJ, United States
The exhibition comprises of 28 new paintings: a mix of large works (130 x 105cm in portrait and landscape orientations) and new additions to the “My Journey” series. (a collection of smaller, 35 x 32cm jewel pieces that are created for the collector to pick and mix). Subscribe to the website to receive the Zoom link for the Private View and conversation with the artist on 19th November at 6pm GMT.
T: +44 7789 001378 E: katrine@katrinelevin.com @katrinelevingalleries
https://www.katrinelevin.com/artistpage-levan-lagidze
©2020 LEVAN LAGIDZE
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