Solo Show of Works by the Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Arts Vazha Okitashvili in the Central House of Artists

The Central House of Artists presents a major retrospective of works by the Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Arts Vazha Okitashvili dedicated to his 60th jubilee. On display are the artist’s paintings and graphic works of various years and styles. The President of the Russian Academy of Arts Zurab Tsereteli took part in the opening ceremony and presented him with the Gold Cross of the Russian Academy of Arts For Services to Art.

About the Artist’s creative work.
The originality. The thinking of Vazha Okitashvili at first sight is surprisingly unconventional. The main connecting source of his work is color. The color plays with the space, dominates the space, arranges the space. The artist uses it to speak with a viewer in different languages. The language of his “Colors” is a combination of complex feelings that sometimes softly, sometimes vigorously are depicted through a complicated polyphony of his color palette. The language of his black and white graphic sheets is very special. The artist is strongly attracted by hints in sensations and silhouettes in perception. His works, drawings and canvases, reveal the philosophy of two unities. From the one hand, everything is very instable, but at the same time it is this instability that creates a feeling of some elevation over what the artist feels and sees.

One more important reference point of Vazha Okitashvili’s work is a House. The House as an image. The House as an element of construction of the whole. This is a purely associative art where everybody sees his own things. But the House is always present, it exists as some inner axis that supports the artist in this complicated world. First of all, the originality for him is an ability to be himself. For this, a creative courage is needed. Vazha Okitashvili is creatively bold. It makes his uniqueness and his existence.

About the artist.
Vazha Okitashvili was born in Tbilisi (Georgia) on July 17, 1952. In the 1990-s he worked for the Union of Designers of Georgia. Since 2000, he has been a member of the Creative Union of Artists of Russia, as well as a member of the International Federation of Artists. Since its foundation Vazha Okitashvili has been working for the Moscow Museum of Modern Art. Since 1993, he has been involved in the implementation of many major projects in Moscow: construction of the War Memorial on the Poklonnaya Hill, Manezh Square, monument to Peter I. For his contribution to the recreation of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow he was awarded an Order of St. Sergius of Radonezh (2202). Vazha Okitashvili is a holder of a bronze (2009), silver (2010), and gold medal of the Creative Union of Artists, a Medal of Shuvalov (2011) of the Russian Academy of Arts, Medal “Glory to Motherland” of the Department of Culture of the City of Moscow and many other awards.

In the middle of May, 2012 in Samara there was an opening of his another solo exhibition (paintings, drawings, sculptures) timed to the 60th anniversary of the master. Vazha Okitashvili is a frequent exhibitor of Moscow and regional art shows. He lives and works in Moscow.



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