As one of the most noteworthy artists of her generation, Gvantsa Jishkariani’s work reflects her deep connection to her post-Soviet upbringing and the complexities of her country’s turbulent path to independence. Born the same year Georgia gained independence, Gvantsa’s experiences of chaos, vulnerability, and resilience are integral to her practice. She explores the precariousness of existence while simultaneously exuding strength in navigating such sensitivities, making her work both intensely personal and universal.

Known for her diverse practice, Jishkariani is especially recognized for her powerful tapestry works, which hold a central place in her oeuvre. She repurposes Soviet-era factory-made tapestries—once mass produced and now relics of the past found in flea markets—transforming them into sites of confrontation and catharsis. Her process is visceral: burning, tearing, and distorting the surface after meticulously embroidering phrases in English that oscillate between vulnerability, irony, and resistance. These phrases, while spare, carry deep emotional and political resonance, inviting multiple layers of interpretation. The laborious act of hand embroidery becomes a ritualistic process of personal release, as well as a critical engagement with collective memory in the post-Soviet space.

Through the act of destruction, she reclaims control, offering open-ended reflections ranging from
deeply personal to broader political observations. Raw and chaotic, yet laced with humour and absurdity, her reworked tapestries inhabit a space between destruction and decoration—where trauma meets play, and irreverence masks a deeper emotional gravity.
This unexpected flexibility, accompanied by a touch of humour, serves as a commentary on the resilience and perseverance required for survival.