Fridon Nizharadze’s first solo exhibition
By Mariam Chanishvili
Monday, November 4
The Georgian National Museum presents the first solo exhibition of Ushguli artist Fridon Nizharadze at the Tbilisi History Museum. The opening took place on November 2.
Fridon Nizharadze is a transcendental artist working in Ushguli. He has been painting since his early childhood, even on the snow and ice. He studied at Tbilisi Academy of Arts, later he returned to Ushguli, where he continues working.
The artist himself says that nature, the universe, and man are his main inspirations. The artist also works on wood and is the author of many poems. His first exhibition is taking place at Tbilisi History Museum until November 15. The exhibition features 40 paintings by the artist. It is curated by Natalia Kldiashvili.
When asked why he chose surrealism, Nizharadze answers simply-because realism is an imitation.
As already mentioned, the artist has never had an exhibition and he paints just for himself. He lives a plain lifestyle.
His art is often described as colorful, detailed, and thought-through, the paintings were the best form of illustration to both of Svaneti’s realms: the real-life and mythological.
He used to be a guardian of the icons and other valuable items kept at the 6th century Church of Christ in Chazhashi village before they were moved to the museum. Chazhashi village is listed among UNESCO heritage sites.
Preserved by its long isolation, the Upper Svaneti region of the Caucasus is an exceptional example of mountain scenery with medieval-type villages and tower-houses. The village of Chazhashi still has more than 200 of these very unusual houses, which were used both as dwellings and as defence posts against the invaders who plagued the region.
