From April 7, the Tbilisi Museum of Fine Arts hosts a retrospective exhibition of Irakli Parjiani titled “Enigmatic Ray” Open until May 31, the show brings back to life the universe of one of the most spiritual and complex figures in modern Georgian art.
Parjiani was more than a painter. At the end of the 20th century, he became a key voice in moving Georgian art away from Soviet collectivism toward a more personal and expressive language. The exhibition, curated by Konstantine Bolkvadze, highlights this turning point. His work blends European expressionism, anthroposophical ideas, and old Georgian calligraphic and icon-painting traditions.
The exhibition is large in scale and covers almost all periods of his career, from the late 1970s to his early death. For the first time, five important works from the museum collection are on display, including the monumental “Annunciation.” Alongside painting and graphic works, visitors can also see wooden sculptures and ceramics, showing his wide creative range. Rare portraits and pieces from the private collection of Archil Darchia are also presented.
The title “Enigmatic Ray” reflects the essence of his art. In Parjiani’s world, everything feels symbolic – from biblical scenes to works inspired by the fall of the Berlin Wall, and his metaphysical landscapes. His paintings seem to glow from within, inviting the viewer into a quiet, emotional dialogue.
Parjiani’s life ended at 41, during the civil war in Tbilisi, when even his works were lost in fire near the “House of Artists.” Yet today, this exhibition shows that his “Enigmatic Ray” continues to exist beyond time and space.
Visit the exhibition at the Tbilisi Museum of Fine Arts, 7 Shota Rustaveli Avenue.
