Irakli Bugianishvili was born in Tbilisi, Georgia in 1980. He studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Karlsruhe where he earned his diploma and is currently pursuing a second degree in Art History at the University in Düsseldorf where he continues to paint and practice photography.

Considered one of the up and comers of his generation Mr. Bugianishvili’s work shows a wide range of influences, which he continues to explore at a rapid pace. Completing as much as three series a year, Bugianishvili’s passion for paint has proven to be as relentless as is his commitment to the uncanny photo album perfection he depicts in his scenes. As tranquil as his images may appear, there is always a mystical element lurking within the scene; something that attempts to detach us from the world as we know it.

The multifaceted imagery found in Bugianishvili’s series refers to not only his own experiences, but the collective experiences of others, which introduce us to a wider context or dialog surrounding social and cultural development. These unlikely partnerships also raise questions about Contemporary life and the seesaw of time and place our world wavers on at this point in history. Looking at aspects of the past and how they work to either alienate us or bring us together, one realizes that the same distinctions can also be made within our present.

As much as Bugianishvili’s scenes struggle between past and present, so too does the painter. His impressionistic background adds to the complexity of his layering schemes and artificial earthy palettes. The pseudo realism apparent in his most recent works conveys a sense of dream like memory that has become blurred over time. The dragging strokes quietly pulling the image in and out of focus allude to the passage of time, the inclusion of movement, and the critical element of human perception.

Kate Emery