History

Sergo Tbileli is a Georgian painter, sculptor, monumentalist and designer. He graduated from the I. Nikoladze Art Studio in Tbilisi in 1977, and in 1983 he graduated from the Tbilisi State Academy of Arts. He is a member of Artist’s Union of Georgia, the Designer’s Union of Georgia, as well as a Doctor of Art, critic and professor at the Tbilisi State Academy of Arts.

Sergo Tbileli was born on February 9, 1958, in one of the old city areas of Tbilisi, Georgia. His
artistic journey started in very peculiar way as the story goes prior to showcasing his artistic
skills when Sergo was a little his mom and family lived in a Tbilisi Style open yard house, where
everyone could come in and go out, with many neighbors. One day Sergo’s mom was airing out
her heirloom 200 year old rug, and doing some house cleaning when she had an encounter with
Gypsies, where an old fortune teller Gypsy lady told her I know where this boy will shine and I’ll
tell you for the 200 year old Persian rug you have there, and without hesitation Sergo’s mom
traded the rug to hear about her boys future, Gypsy women said that he would become a great
artist, and so it was.

During his youth, he began learning from the old masters going to see and view master artists
such as, etc.

He acquired a classical education in the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic. Starting his studies
at Tbilisi Iakob Nikoladze Art College where he studied sculpture (1973-1977) and separately
studied under famous Georgian artist Sergo Kobuladze. Afterward, he continued his
undergraduate and graduate studies at the Tbilisi State Academy of Arts (1977-1983) where he
studied Monumental art. Back then getting into the Tbilisi State Academy was truly an
impossible task more than 50 000 students were applying each year and only 10 could get a spot.
Continuing his Postgraduate studies in Saint Petersburg, Russia (1983-1985). Afterward
returning to Georgia where he became a professor at Tbilisi State Academy and opened his own
studio. Early in his career, he studied under Sergo Kobuladze, Rezo Iashvili, Alde Kakabadze,
and after studied under Andrei Mylnikov in Saint Petersburg. He has realized various personal
exhibitions in Canada, the United States, Germany, Turkey, Austria, the Czech Republic, Iran,
Norway, and Russia as well as participated in group exhibitions, and international projects.

At the tail end of the 80s, he began his educational career by opening an art studio and starting as
a professor at the State Academy of Arts in Tbilisi, Georgia. During his studies, he worked on
monumental murals and sculptures all over the Soviet Union. He worked on hundred meter
murals, interiors and exteriors for public spaces, parks, hospitals, subways and etc, in Russia,
Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan. He also worked on Soviet sculpture and Stained
glass pieces.
With the income he generated from this projects, he contributed to creating his experimental
artworks. During that time the idea of experimental artworks in Soviet Union was highly

shunned upon and there were no prospects for this type of art to exist. For Non-Soviet themed
artworks were illegal and punishable, Sergo still preserved and fought this idea with his
artworks, which were financed by Sculptures of Lenin and Murals with Socialist themes.

In the meantime, he worked on restoring millennium-old churches in Georgia, from where he
mastered the use of archaic techniques. Which are still persistent in his art. During the early
years of his career, Sergo worked extensively in the world of theater and film art, creating
breathtaking stage designs for Nodar Dumbadze’s plays. He also had the opportunity to work on
the art decorations for Moscow’s prestigious Bolshoi Theater, where he played a key role in
bringing to life such iconic ballets as Carmen and many others. In addition to his work in the
theater, Sergo also had the honor of collaborating with the legendary Georgian Armenian
director, artist, and maestro Sergo Parajanov on the films Surami Fortress and other notable
productions. This early work laid the foundation for a successful and fulfilling career in the arts
and helped to establish Sergo as a master of his craft. In addition to his artistic endeavors, he
dedicated himself to mountain climbing, actively joining expeditions of the Ukrainian
“Abalakov” group. Climbing all of the mountain peaks of Georgia and Reaching the top of the
highest mountain in Soviet Union Ismoil Somoni Peak than called ( “Peak of Communism”) the
50th highest mountain in the world, being just 1400 meters shorter than Everest. From this
extraordinary experiences he got a majority of his inspiration to work on his experimental art
pieces.

During this period of his life, Sergo also began teaching in personal classes and academy,
teaching advanced courses of drawing. And continuing his teaching career till the tail end of the
2000s.

After the fall of the Soviet Union he started showcasing the experimental works that he created
during the existence of the Soviet Union and the fall creating the series ” Georgian Motives” and
exhibiting it in Ankara 1995 to a sold out show. The exhibition was a resounding success, with
artworks being purchased by the President of Turkey Süleyman Demirel and international
Diplomats from the USA, UK, Spain, Germany and various notable figures, breaking price
records. Achieving fame with his series “Georgian Motives”, which represented his colorful
vision of various Georgian mountains, landscapes, stories and events.

In his first solo exhibition in Turkey, his artworks have been sold for the highest prices setting the record for the region till this day.

From 1996-1998 Sergo visited Canada, Montreal. During this period his artwork were exhibited
at McGill University, Harrison Gallery in Montreal. During this period of time he was
experimenting more with compositions and new techniques and rethinking his approach to the
use of colors and lines. In the early 2000s, after many years working abroad, Sergo returned to
his native Georgia and began to explore a new direction in his art. This marked a significant

turning point in his style and approach to art, as he was now able to draw upon his deep
connection to the land, culture, and his experiences in a drastically different way. In 2003, Sergo
debuted a striking new graphic series that was inspired by his revised artistic vision which he
created in 2000-2003 years. This series was exhibited as part of the exhibition series “Winds of
Caucasus” starting in Georgia, Tbilisi with a Gala opening attended by Government officials and
diplomats and culminating in a grand exhibition series spanning the entire Caucasus and ending
with a Gala exhibition in Baku. Where Sergo’s artworks were met with critical acclaim and a
sold-out show. This success cemented Sergo’s position as a rising star in the art world and
marked the beginning of a new chapter in his career.

After the successful Baku exhibition and the release of his “Georgian Motives” series, Sergo
continued to push the boundaries of his art, seeking new ways to express his vision and tell his
stories. He began experimenting with combining his vibrant colors and dynamic compositions

with mythical subjects and grander themes, creating works that were both beautiful and thought-
provoking. In order to achieve the level of detail and nuance that he desired, Sergo also began

using thinner brushes and a new layering technique in his paintings. This allowed him to add
greater depth and complexity to his art, and to create works that were truly captivating. One of
the first pieces to showcase this new approach was the stunning “Golden Cockerel”, “Window to
Europe”,” abduction of europa”, which were exhibited to great acclaim in 2005. This work
provided a glimpse into the future development of Sergo’s style and laid the foundations for even
more ambitious projects to come. Triptych “Venice Carnival,” a large-scale painting that was
unified by the theme of the opulent and beautiful “Venice Carnival”. This work marked the true
beginning of Sergo’s new style, with its translucent layers and shining figures, and it remains one
of his most enduring and beloved pieces. The color pallet and the use of texture began to shine in
this exact artwork which further developed in the future. In 2008 most of Sergo Tbilelis’ artworks
were sold to a private collector in London, leading Sergo to once again dwelling into ways to
improve his art. In 2009, Sergo began work on one of his most ambitious and impressive
artworks for that time: the monumental piece “Meaning of Life.” This piece is rich with
figurative and allegorical meanings, and showcases the full range of Sergo’s talents as an artist.
In creating this work, Sergo not only focused on the paintings themselves but also on the frames
and shapes on which they were painted. He worked closely with skilled artisans to design and
create custom frames that would perfectly complement his paintings, and he spent countless
hours refining his compositions and colors to achieve the exact effect that he desired. One of the
most notable aspects of “Meaning of Life” is the full adoption of the use of paint that were
created by Sergo himself. This allowed him to achieve an even greater level of vibrancy and
depth in his colors, and the resulting layers of paint are truly mesmerizing to behold. The
addition of more layers was also followed by the more texturized paintings. Following 2009,

Sergo started utilizing his new style in all of his artworks, introducing the same kind of detail in
large or small scale paintings.

Following the prior success Sergo began to fully embrace his new style in all of his artworks. He
continued to develop and refine new ways to combine texture and multi-layered painting to
create works that were both visually stunning and emotionally resonant. Throughout this period,
Sergo was focused on experimenting with his technique, and on finding new ways to bring out
the best in his art. He also began to explore the use of two-sided canvases, creating works that
could be viewed from both sides and that offered a more immersive and interactive viewing
experience. By 2012, Sergo had honed his style to a high level of mastery, and his artworks from
this period showcase his incredible skill and vision. These works laid the foundation for even
more ambitious projects to come, and helped to establish Sergo as one of the leading artists of his
generation. Notable pieces by him created during this period are “Sun of The East” (2010),
“Cirque du Soleil”(2015), ‘Saint Francis” (2015), “Holy Land” (2010), “After The Rain” (2012),
“Ali and Nino” (2009). “Tbilisi Pastorale” (2010), “Masquerade” (2015) “Cirque du Soleil” is a
notable piece of art because it showcase Sergo’s innovative use of shapes and wood carving
techniques. These techniques give the artwork a unique depth and dimension that sets it apart
from his previous work. The intricate wood carvings and the clever use of geometric shapes
combine to create a visually striking and highly original piece of art. This innovative approach to
art has been widely praised by critics and art enthusiasts alike, and has helped to solidify Sergo’s
reputation as a talented and forward-thinking artist. In 2016, Sergo began work on one of his
most ambitious and impressive pieces to date: “Europe and Asia”. This grand masterpiece was
inspired by Sergo’s earlier works, which often featured elements from both of these iconic

continents, and sought to expand upon these themes in a more comprehensive and thought-
provoking way. To create “Europe and Asia,” Sergo spent many months designing a custom

frame set that would serve as a kind of gateway to these two realms. He also spent countless
hours refining his ideas and composition, seeking to create a piece that would truly capture the
essence of both Europe and Asia. He Spent weeks carving out the details and shapes on the
wooden frame. The final result is a breathtaking work of art that consists of four individual parts,
each of which is dedicated to one of the continents. Sergo’s use of texture and color is elevated to
new heights in this piece, with over 1200 layers of the thinnest paint and a texture that is truly
captivating to behold. Overall, “Europe and Asia” is a masterpiece that showcases the full range
of Sergo’s talents as an artist, and it remains one of his most celebrated and enduring works. It
took Sergo two years to finish his artwork, during which he painted both sides of it. This is
remarkable because it is one of the longest periods of time that Sergo has spent working on a
single piece of art. The resulting artwork is truly impressive and has been widely praised for its
beauty and attention to detail. Despite the lengthy process involved in its creation, the final
product is well worth the effort and stands as a testament to Sergo’s dedication and skill as an

artist. In 2017-2018, Sergo was captivated by his hometown of Tbilisi and the rich history that it
held. Inspired by this history, he began to develop a new series of artworks and a unique style of
enamel painting. Drawing upon his knowledge of ceramics and glasswork, as well as the
historical use of enameling in Georgia, Sergo began to experiment with creating cold enamel
formations. This proved to be a challenging but rewarding process, and over time he mastered
the technique and began to use it to create stunning miniatures of Old Tbilisi. As he continued to
work with enameling, Sergo also began to incorporate his signature multi-layered approach to
painting, creating works that were not possible with traditional enameling techniques. This
allowed him to achieve a level of depth and complexity that was truly stunning, and his enamel
paintings from this period remain some of his most beloved and admired works.

In 2018-2019, artist Sergo embarked on a bold new project: creating a unique font inspired by
the Georgian alphabet which he called “Pharnavaz”. In honor of the first king of Georgia
Pharnavaz I who created the first Georgian Alphabet. The result was a stunning collection of
decorative typography, beautifully crafted with careful attention to detail. But Sergo didn’t stop
there. He took his passion for typography to the next level by creating a line of handmade metal
versions of his letters, each one a miniature work of art. These pieces are more than just fonts –
they’re jewelry, carefully crafted by hand to showcase the beauty of the Georgian alphabet.
Sergo’s work is a true testament to the timeless art of typography, and his unique take on the
Georgian alphabet is sure to be admired by fans of design and handcrafted art alike. During the
tail end of 2019, Sergo began collaborating with the famous Georgian winery Chateau Mere. The
collaboration began with a simple, friendly painting, but it quickly grew into a successful art
series that captivated audiences on many levels. The collaboration was a hit with both art
enthusiasts and wine lovers, and the resulting art series became a bestseller. The series was
notable for its unique blend of art and wine, and for the way it brought together two seemingly
disparate worlds in a captivating and beautifully executed way. Overall, the collaboration
between Sergo and Chateau Mere was a resounding success.
In 2021 he started experimenting with screen printing technologies creating a new project &
exhibition “Anabechdi” in which the main topic for the series is the monumental poem “The
Knight in the Panther’s Skin”. As a part of the project, he reimagined the characters and the world
they exist in. As well as creating a new portrait for the author of the poem Shota Rustaveli.

In 2021, Sergo began work on his latest grand masterpiece, “Cleopatra and Caesar in Rome.”
This artwork is a masterpiece that represents a new level of grand mastery in Sergo’s art,
showcasing his incredible skill and attention to detail. To create the piece, Sergo utilized an
astounding number of layers and micro brushstrokes, ultimately working on the painting for
1500 individual layers. The resulting artwork is incredibly complex, with a color combination

that is utterly unique and captivating. Despite its complexity, the painting holds a great deal of
meaning and symbolism. The layers of the painting reveal hidden depths and secrets, and the
imagery evokes the rich history and culture of ancient Rome. Overall, “Cleopatra and Caesar in
Rome” is a truly impressive piece of art, and it represents a major achievement for Sergo as an
artist. It is sure to be celebrated and admired for years to come.
In 2022 Sergo’s art works were exhibited in Stockton University in New Jersey, The exhibition
was titled “Preaching to the Birds” which lasted for three months.

In early 2023, Sergo began working on his new masterpiece “Kolkha” inspired by Georgian
mythology. In May 2023, “Kolkha” beside Sergo Tbileli’s other artworks took center stage at [the
Library of Congress in Washington D.C., featuring a live art performance showcasing the ancient wine vessel “Qvevri” as part of a culturally inspired project. In July, his pieces were prominently displayed at the NY Southampton Hamptons Fine Art Fair, where he continued his live art performance and received special recognition. By November 2023, his artworks as well as the “Qvevri” on which he worked on during his six-month U.S. tour, were exhibited at the UN Plaza.  After his return to Tbilisi 2024 Sergo began working on an idea he first had in New York, Don Quixote in New Amsterdam, which he finished in the May of the same year. Currently, he is in the process of creating a new series of artworks and a special series for Harvard Exhibition planned for September 2024