Daring to Be
Salomeya Bauer | Lizi Budagashvili | Nino Eliashvili | Maryam Sasha
Some women explore their identities with boldness and courage, embracing vulnerability as a means to become their true selves. As they navigate societal expectations, personal relationships, and their innermost thoughts and desires, their willingness to be authentic enables them to find empowerment.
Featuring a selection of paintings by four women contemporary artists from Georgia, this exhibition provides a visual representation of the struggles and triumphs of women in their journey of self-discovery. Revealing the distinct styles and techniques of the artists, the diverse array of works with vibrant colors and dynamic compositions highlight the courage and resiliency of women who have harnessed their inner strength to become more self-assured.
Women's experiences and emotions are shaped by race, class, and sexuality. Cultural norms and societal pressures discourage women from being open and honest about these emotions and experiences. The act of introspection allows women to take control of their own lives and communities, and can bring about real and lasting change.
The key stages of introspection are self-awareness, self-reflection, self-acceptance, and self-love. By contemplating, overcoming adversity, learning to accept their flaws, and loving themselves unconditionally, women are empowered to navigate through life with a sense of purpose and fulfillment, allowing them to make positive contributions to their communities and the world at large.
As the viewers take in the collection of paintings, they are invited to witness the delicate and emotional inner worlds of the artists. Taken together, the exhibition showcases the visual storytelling and intimate essence of art that reveal the inexhaustible strength of women.
Salomeya Bauer
Salomeya Bauer is a multifaceted artist whose work encompasses painting, film, and research. Her art focuses on mental crisis and borderline states of mind. Bauer's inspiration comes from real-life observations as well as mythology. Using acrylics, oil pastels, and markers, she imbues frozen moments with introspection.
“
The contrast of mentalities, religions, and social structures I lived in made a big influence on me as a painter. My characters raise gender issues. It is important for me to capture the timeless contradictions of human beings as fragile, helpless, and disastrous at the same time.
”
Lizi Budagashvili
Lizi Budagashvili’s work revolves around memories and origins. Embracing solitude through her overall nostalgic mood, she believes in conveying both the beauty and sorrow of life. Budagashvili holds a BFA from the Ringling College of Art and Design.
“
Perhaps my paintings have a more emotional meaning. My concepts are usually about the human nature: thoughts and emotions. I usually get inspiration from observing people’s relationship with their environment, and seeking myself.
”
Nino Eliashvili
Nino Eliashvili is known for her distinctive drawings and striking public installations. The artist works with a variety of materials, but watercolor is special to her due to the ability to project emotions. Eliashvili holds an MFA from the State Academy of Arts in Tbilisi.
“
My work is inspired by capturing spiritual states, colors, sexual identities, suppressed emotions, and beauty. I try to inspire people to discover beauty in unusual things.
”
Maryam Sasha
Maryam Sasha uses a variety of styles and mediums, enjoying the versatility that comes with being a skilled graphic designer. Through her work, she aims to provide a door into her own inner world, striving to depict dreams and spiritual experiences visually. Sasha holds a BFA from Tbilisi State Academy of Arts.
“
Drawing is like a game. Every picture has its own emotion. An inspiration is like a new puzzle that I arrange. I really like to visualize spiritual experiences and to find a shape for them.
”
Latest Articles
Joana Vasconcelos at MICAS: Art and Identity in Malta
The Malta International Contemporary Art Space (MICAS) opened with Transcending the Domestic by Portuguese artist Joana Vasconcelos, renowned for her monumental sculptures and immersive installations. The exhibition marks the start of MICAS’s bid to become a global contemporary art hub. Joana Vasconcelos, known for her large-scale, mesmerizing installations, has created a collection of works that transform everyday domestic objects into
Jean-Michel Basquiat’s Engadin: A Dialogue Between New York and Switzerland
Engadin at Hauser & Wirth St. Moritz showcases Jean-Michel Basquiat’s fascination with the Alpine lifestyle, including his enjoyment of cross-country skiing and local agricultural shows. His time in Switzerland, which included fifteen visits, provided a stark contrast to his life in New York. The exhibition delves Basquiat’s unique relationship with the Swiss Alps, which began in 1982, highlighting his experiences
Christie’s 2024 Sales Decline by 6% Amid Market Shifts
Christie’s generated $5.7 billion in 2024 from live and online auctions, as well as private sales of art and luxury goods, a 6% drop from $6.1 billion in 2023. The results, shared in the company’s earnings call, reflect changing buyer behavior and a more cautious approach amid global economic uncertainties. Guillaume Cerutti, CEO of Christie’s, described the year’s market trends
Art Basel Miami Beach 2024: Sales Highlights and Market Trends
Art Basel Miami Beach 2024 (ABMB) saw Hauser & Wirth’s USD 4.75 million sale of a David Hammons piece lead a week of strong sales, including Yayoi Kusama’s painting for USD 3.5 million at David Zwirner, a Georg Baselitz bronze for EUR 2.5 million at Thaddaeus Ropac, and a Sam Gilliam painting for USD 1 million at Pace. Georg Baselitz’s
Notre-Dame’s Grand Reopening: Five Years of Restoration and Renewal
In an extraordinary feat of perseverance and craftsmanship, Notre-Dame’s grand reopening marks the completion of a historic five-year restoration after the 2019 fire, fulfilling President Macron’s promise. Though exterior work continues at the iconic Gothic masterpiece, the interiors are more stunning than ever. The world looked on in disbelief as a catastrophic fire ravaged Notre-Dame Cathedral in 2019, destroying much
Lauren Halsey at Serpentine South: Celebrating Community, Confronting Inequality
Lauren Halsey blends Afrofuturism, funk, and local iconography to explore Black empowerment, queerness, and resistance to gentrification. In her emajendat exhibition at London’s Serpentine South Gallery, Halsey’s work celebrates community vitality while confronting systemic inequities. Over the past decade, Halsey has developed a unique artistic language rooted in her generational ties to South Central. Through site-specific installations and mixed-media sculptures,
