Welcome to the annual Friends and Family Exhibition at Fotografia Gallery!
We are delighted to launch this new tradition, celebrating the creativity, strength, and bonds that unite us.
This exhibition not only highlights the work of our closest circle but also serves as a fundraiser for the gallery, ensuring the continuation of our efforts to showcase and support the arts. In these challenging times, we hope this gathering serves as a space for warmth, conversation, and shared understanding.
Join us in celebrating creativity and community, as we honor the resilience and spirit of Georgia.
With heartfelt gratitude to the talented artists whose work makes this exhibition possible, including those who have worked at the gallery and contributed to its mission:
- Mano Svanidze
- Ketevan Gvinepradze
- Gvantsa Tskhovrebashvili
- Nata Abashidze-Romanovskaya
- David Grigoryan
- Toby Andris
- Masha Starikova
- Mariam Saatashvili
- Mariam Javakhishvili
- Alina Masat
- Tristan Masat
Artists’ Bios for the Friends and Family Exhibition
Mano Svanidze
Mano Svanidze is a Georgian photographer based in Brussels, Belgium. A graduate of Tbilisi State University in Marketing, Svanidze discovered her passion for photography in 2009. Co-founder of the 90’x collective, her internationally exhibited work often explores Georgian culture, national identity, and social issues. Her projects, including those addressing transgender rights in Georgia, have been featured on platforms like Vogue’s PhotoVogue.
Ketevan Gvinepradze
Ketevan Gvinepradze is a Georgian visual artist and conceptual photographer based in Barcelona. Represented by Fotografia Gallery in Tbilisi, her work explores gender, politics, and Georgian culture through diverse media, including photography, video, and ceramics. With notable solo exhibitions like *Private Landscapes* (2024) and *Colouring Book* (2018), Gvinepradze challenges perceptions and creates innovative visual languages.
Gvantsa Tskhovrebashvili
Gvantsa Tskhovrebashvili is a Georgian conceptual photographer whose work explores themes of self-identity and introspection. Notable projects include the *Broken Polaroid Series – What Worries You?* and *Curfew*. Tskhovrebashvili is also a curator and co-founder of Platforma 7, an art collective in Tbilisi. Her work has been exhibited internationally, including at Fotografia Gallery.
Nata Abashidze-Romanovskaya
Nata Abashidze-Romanovskaya is a Georgian photographer based in Tbilisi, whose work spans portrait, food, lifestyle, street photography, and documentary genres. She has contributed to several exhibitions, including the #Museuminfocus initiative by the Georgian National Museum, and has played a key role in the establishment of Fotografia Gallery.
David Grigoryan
David Grigoryan is a Georgian Armenian photographer born in Tbilisi and raised in Ukraine, now based in Tbilisi. Specializing in street photography, Grigoryan has documented significant events such as the war in Ukraine and the Russian borderization in Tskhinvali, capturing raw, powerful images that speak to the human experience in times of conflict.
Toby Andris
Toby Andris is a Canadian musician, filmmaker, photographer, and winemaker currently living in Tbilisi. With a deep appreciation for the arts, Andris’ multifaceted creative career bridges visual storytelling and music, often drawing on his diverse experiences to create thought-provoking work.
Artists’ Bios for the Friends and Family Exhibition
Masha Starikova
Masha Starikova is a Belarusian photographer and former Fotografia intern. With a focus on capturing raw, authentic moments, Starikova’s photography often reflects themes of identity, personal history, and the human experience.
Mariam Saatashvili
Mariam Saatashvili is a Georgian photographer and former Fotografia intern. Her photography captures intimate moments, emphasizing the relationship between people and their environments. Saatashvili’s work blends sensitivity with depth, offering a fresh perspective on everyday life.
Mariam Javakhishvili
Mariam Javakhishvili is a Georgian photographer and currently serves as the Assistant Manager at Fotografia Gallery. Her photography delves into themes of identity, community, and emotional connection, capturing fleeting moments with a unique eye for detail and atmosphere.
Alina Masat
Alina Masat is a Ukrainian human rights lawyer, humanitarian practitioner, and co-owner of Fotografia. An amateur artist, illustrator, and photographer, she divides her time between Tbilisi, Kyiv, and Warsaw. Masat’s work reflects her passion for social justice and creativity, connecting her professional and artistic pursuits in meaningful ways.
Tristan Masat
Tristan Masat, originally from the U.S., is a human rights lawyer, labor organizer, photographer, graphic designer, gallerist, and former roadie. His photography often focuses on analog techniques, particularly long and multiple exposures and pinhole photography. Based between Tbilisi, Warsaw, and Kyiv, Masat’s work explores complex themes through a distinct visual lens.
