Avto Varazi exhibition held from December 1-25

On December 1, a retrospective exhibition of famous Georgian painter Avto Varazi opened. The exposition is conducted with the support of the Georgian Ministry of Culture. A presentation of a book about the painter "Avto Varazi was also held.

The author of the book is the painters wife Manana Khvitsashvili. The publication brings together the artists life, works and contains his illustrated drawings. The book also includes different Varazis quotes that he wrote on pieces of papers, cigarette boxes and sketches.

The exposition itself is organized by Tbilisi State Art Academy and presents 70 works of Avto Varazi, collected from different museum funds and private collections.

Avto Varazi (1926-1977) was a 20^th century painter. He was the first Georgian artist to use the collage technique. His paintings are scattered in museums around the world. In Georgia, they are kept in the Georgian National Museum and Fine Art Museums of Kutaisi, Tsageri, Ambrolauri and Senaki.

Avto Varazi's paintings are represented in many places around the world, but the locations of some of his works are still unknown. "Bulls head" by Varazi is kept at MoMa. Another work, also named "Bulls head" representing a lambs head is displayed in the Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers University. The other "Bulls head" remains with Alexander Glezer in Paris and "The Octopus" is in George Costakis private collection in Greece.

"Avto Varazi occupies special place in Georgian painting of the 20th century. It is not easy to assign him to any specific trend in painting. He applied various painting systems and techniques with equal success. Avto Varazi, as an artist was being formed with the background of a conflict between stamps and norms of a stroke. He never compromised with the social realism. His character was not familiar with compromise; he never got involved in thematic exhibitions or drawing on request. He was individual, conscious and deep in his search that coincide with the trends and searches of the contemporary world. Says the statement released by the organizers of the exhibition.

Zurab Tsereteli Museum of Modern Art will host the exposition until December 25.

To examine his paintings click here.