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The Tbilisi Mural Fest had reached a significant milestone, celebrating its fifth anniversary with an incredible lineup of artists. The festival showcased an explosion of creativity and innovation as it transformed the streets of Tbilisi and Kutaisi into a stunning outdoor art gallery.
The festival organisers take great pride in hosting a stellar lineup of mural artists from around the globe who come together to showcase their exceptional talent on the streets of Tbilisi. The festival is a vibrant and colourful celebration of art, creativity, and diversity. Every year, the festival attracts thousands of art enthusiasts who witness the stunning artworks and experience the unique cultural ambience of Tbilisi.
The festival has grown tremendously since its inception and now spans two of Georgia’s largest cities, Tbilisi and Kutaisi. The dynamic street art scenes in both locations came alive with vibrant and inspiring murals that reflected the spirit and culture of Georgia.
Founder Besik Maziashvili, the visionary behind Tbilisi Mural Fest, expressed his excitement about the festival’s growth.
“Tbilisi Mural Fest has always been about taking Georgia’s mural art to a new level and highlighting Georgia as a wonderful platform for mural artists from around the world. Our festival has not only fostered creativity but also amplified Tbilisi’s presence on the global stage, establishing our city as a vibrant hub for street art and creativity.”
Besik Maziashvili
This year’s participating artists included Telmo Miel, Milu Korech, Slim Safont, wedo Goas, Gera, Tina Chertova, Vesod, Tiago Mazza, Giorgi Pablo Kalandarishvili, and Sasha Korban.
Telmo Miel
The Telmo Miel mural is an exceptional piece that captures the essence of a young man’s lifelong journey towards a bright future while carrying his cultural roots with him. The mural’s intricate details and cultural references, combined with the sun shining on the man’s face, paint a vivid picture of resilience, determination, and hope that resonates with people of all ages and backgrounds.
“The young man I have painted is moving towards the light on his way of life and bringing his culture with him. He will find himself in many places and environments during this journey, so he has many different clothes and many hands. The cultural environment in which he grew up will sometimes be his helper and sometimes his helper along the way, however, until the end of this journey, he will always have it in him.”
Telmo Miel (translated)
The young man in the mural is depicted as a proud bearer of his culture.
Image © Tbilisi Mural Fest 2023
Milu Korech
Milu Korech’s mural “Medea” is based on the daughter of King Aeetes of Colchis in Greek mythology; she became famous for her marriage to the renowned hero Jason, who took revenge on him by beheading their children. Medea’s story is one of love, betrayal, and revenge, and she is often portrayed as a complex and tragic character.
Image © Tbilisi Mural Fest 2023
Slim Safont and Wedo Goas
Created by talented artists Slim Safont and Wedo Goas, the larger-than-life mural titled ‘Changing the light bulb’. The mural showcases a person giving a piggyback ride to another person reaching up to change a light bulb. The bright halo makes the mural stand out and adds to the playfulness of the artwork. The mural symbolises a society’s transition from a dark past to a brighter future with the new generation as the protagonists. It emphasises the importance of support and teamwork to achieve change. The metaphor of changing a bulb represents replacing and evolving into something better and brighter.
“The mural represents the change of stage of a society, the transition from a darker past to a brighter future with the new generations as protagonists and taking control. Support and teamwork to reach change. Changing the bulb is a metaphor of replacing, modifying, evolving into something better and brighter.
Georgia is a fighting country with a past marked by many armed conflicts. Self-defense or self-protection and the ability to maintain and preserve their own identity and tradition over the years are qualities worth taking into account when understanding the history and present of this territory. We want our mural to also refer to this capacity on the part of the population, for staying afloat despite difficulties , overcoming darkness through teamwork, support and community cohesion when it comes to defending themselves and overcoming adversities.“
Slim Safont and Wedo Goas
The mural is deeply rooted in Georgia’s history and culture. The country has a long and proud tradition of self-defence and self-preservation, reflected in the artwork. The mural celebrates the resilience and determination of the Georgian people, who have overcome countless obstacles and challenges throughout their history.
Image © Tbilisi Mural Fest 2023
Gera
Gera’s mural is titled ‘Mokhevian’ and can be found in Varketili, near Tbilisi; it features a woman in traditional local attire surrounded by symbols of Georgian tradition. The woman is taken from a black and white photo from the 20th century and has been revived in a colourful, vibrant way to showcase the renewal of tradition through a contemporary view.
“This mural located in Varketili, on the surroundings of Tbilisi, represents a woman dressed in traditional local costume as well as surrounded by the symbols of her time and Georgian tradition, dominates the pictorial space. The figure of the woman is taken from a 20th century black and white photograph and in the present mural she is revived through her colourful, vibrant presence, in order to highlight the renewal of tradition through a contemporary perspective. The deformation and alternation of her face aims, also, to show the different personalities that may exist within this woman.”
Gera
Georgian painter Nanina worked on the wall with Gera.
Image © Tbilisi Mural Fest 2023
Tina Chertova
Tina Chertova’s mural is titled “The Blue Sign” and is part of the Kutias series. The mural is a beautiful piece featuring a stunning blue colour that captures the essence of the Georgian culture. The artwork is a visual representation of a 14+ floor living house, incorporating various elements of a traditional Georgian table. The artist’s attention to detail is outstanding, and the mural spans across three walls, making it a true spectacle to see. You can find the mural at the intersection of Gamsakhurdia and Agmashenebeli streets, where it stands tall and proud, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in its blue beauty. Painters Chertova Tina , Irakli Kadeishvili and Ana Japaridze.
Image © Tbilisi Mural Fest 2023
Vesod
Vesod’s latest mural, “Amirani”, is a stunning piece that pays homage to Georgian mythology. This mural is the final addition to the Kutaisi series. The mural is a depiction of Amiran, a legendary Georgian figure who is known for his bravery and strength. The artwork portrays Amiran being protected by his loyal dog, showcasing the bond of trust between man and animal. The mural faces Khvamli Mountain, a place of great significance in the legend, where Amiran was chained. The mural’s intricate details, emotion and cool colours bring the story of Amiran to life.
Image © Tbilisi Mural Fest 2023
Tiago Mazza
Thiago Mazza, the artist, added a burst of colour to the streets of Kutaisi with his delightful mural showcasing the beautiful Brazilian flora.
Image © Tbilisi Mural Fest 2023
Giorgi Pablo Kalandarishvili
In the neighbourhood of Vazisubani, you can find the photorealistic mural “Tita”, brought to life by the talented local artist Giorgi Pablo Kalandarishvili. This mural is a beautiful representation of the surrounding area, symbolically related to the longstanding tradition of bringing grapes. The artwork captures the essence of this unique location and its cultural significance.
Image © Tbilisi Mural Fest 2023
Sasha Korban
Renowned artist Sasha Korban created a mural titled “Last Bell,” which vividly commemorates a student’s last day of school. The artwork beautifully captures the essence of this memorable day, including the age-old tradition of shirt signing, through its intricate shirt messages. Korban’s mural encapsulates the joy and excitement of students bidding farewell to their school days and embarking on new journeys.
“When the boys of Tbilisi Mural Fest told me about this tradition, I was very fascinated and started to think about painting it. This is the age in which the teenager is already entering the big life. I wanted to give a girl childish and mature beauty in our work. This is the beginning of a new chapter in her life.
Particularly interesting is the tradition of writing and painting the shirt itself, so close to graffiti culture, and it naturally appears in my work. ”
Sasha Korban
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Image © Tbilisi Mural Fest 2023
Another stunning mural by Sasha Korban represents ‘Grandma’. The mural features an older lady, affectionately referred to as “Grandma,” who represents the essence of Georgian culture. The model for the mural, Dali, was discovered by Sasha at Grandma’s Gelatiis. The mural captures the spirit of Georgia’s culinary heritage, as Dali is shown baking traditional Georgian dishes such as khachapuri and chads. Using age-old techniques and recipes passed down from generation to generation, Dali’s cooking is a beautiful testament to the country’s rich cultural heritage.
“I am not in Georgia for the first time and I fall in love with it more and more every time.
I will not list all the landmarks of Georgia, because the local residents have a great idea how to share Georgian culture and traditions with guests. This time I was lucky and visited mountains, small villages and cities, I felt the warmth of Georgian hospitality. Yes, in Kutaisi, I wanted to show, with what love and skill grandmothers, women, girls prepare traditional dishes. Finally, this is how our Imerelian grandmother represented us. ”
Sasha Korban’s skills capture Dali perfectly and bring the loving scene to life.
Image © Tbilisi Mural Fest 2023
3D Video Mapping
The festival organisers unveiled an exciting new experience at the event – 3D video mapping showcasing the work of Stefan Ihmig, a Berlin-based artist (Studio ReSorb). This innovative feature set the festival apart from previous editions and added excitement to the atmosphere. Along with drinks and music, attendees were mesmerised by the ever-changing mural, which was transformed with the 3D mapping technology.
Image © Tbilisi Mural Fest 2023
Guardians of Tolerance
The festival has been recognised for its exceptional efforts in promoting diversity, inclusion, and tolerance through street art by being awarded the prestigious title of “Guardians of Tolerance 2023” by the Public Defender of Georgia, USAID Georgia, the United Nations Association, and the Tolerance Centre. This recognition is a testament to the festival’s commitment to creating a safe and welcoming environment for people of all backgrounds and beliefs to come together and celebrate the power of art. The festival’s initiatives have helped break down barriers and fostered a sense of unity.
Tbilisi Mural Fest’s open-air gallery celebrated art, culture, and diversity and was a must-visit event for anyone who loves street art. So mark your calendars and get ready to witness the magic of Tbilisi Mural Fest 2024.
Image copyright Tbilisi Mural Fest 2023
