Ceramics by Lia Bagrationi

Lia Bagrationi is the famous Georgian ceramic artist, who has very impressive career. She calls herself a “Clay Artist”.

Lia was born on September 5^th 1957. She became ceramics student at Tbilisi State Academy of Arts, which she successfully graduated in year 1980. Nowadays she’s associate professor at the Tbilisi State Academy of Arts, also she’s co-founder of the Georgian Art and Craft Foundation “The Clay Office” and member of International Academy of Ceramics (IAC) since 2013.

Since the year 2000 Lia’s career as a ceramic artist, begins to grow. With her works there are organized solo and group exhibitions in Georgia and other countries, she takes parts in regional and international symposiums and workshops.

Bagrationi’s works don’t belong to one specific style. Archaic era is one of the sources for her inspiration. During the first stage of her career we can see her interpretations of archaic forms and mythology. Literary and philosophical texts are also sources for her inspiration. During reading are born ideas for new project, which we are able to see on her exhibitions. With her artworks, she tries to show us her emotions, experience; Show us the influence that environment, world has on her.

Lia Bagrationi is still working actively. Her latest artistic research focuses on deconstruction experiments that take place in different media.

IDDAF asked ceramist few questions and had an interesting conversation with her:

What do Lia Bagrationi’s creations tell us and what is general message of her creativity to the world?

My artwork is my way of communication with the world. It is equally loaded with intellectual and physical work. It’s important that it can be interpreted in various ways, create reasons to think and it can question established rules.

What is your attitude towards concept, how big is its role in your art and how much attention do you pay to its visual aspects, as in, your works being expressed with flawless and attractive forms?

In my works concept has the leading part. Visual aspects are completely subjected to it. As for the notion of beauty in a work of art, I’ll say that it’s completely legitimate.

How can we distinguish a good artist from a bad one?

Artist who can open up in his/her works and maintain this openness is a good artist.

What is the role of female artists, should their creations be equally acceptable and understandable for the women of different religions and races?

Gender equality means that men and women have equal chances for fully expressing their potential. I hope that women will be able to defend their rights in XXI century. I don’t support the idea of dividing artists according to their gender. Person may be an artist or not. The reason why I accepted to take part in this gender based rubric such as ‘Female Week’ is to show this point of view… German philosopher Martin Heidegger uses art as the means of understanding, accessing the truth. According to this the meaning of truth and the work of art are the same. Exposing the existing is both the truth and the work of art. So, neither the understanding, nor accepting the idea of one’s creation should be hard for both, women and men.

In your opinion, what is the future of Georgian art and how does it develop?

There is no future for Georgian contemporary art without education. Only the artist’s talent is not enough for its development. The process goes on very gravely in that direction. In the world of art only the talent and enthusiasm of an artist is leading energy, but this is not enough for moving forward. Many institutions should be put in motion for supporting this process.

 

 

 

Author: Meri Khamkhadze