In late 2020, Sergo Tbileli embarked on an innovative journey utilizing screen printing technologies to conceptualize a new project and exhibition titled “Anabechdi.” This artistic series draws inspiration from the monumental Georgian epic poem “The Knight in the Panther’s Skin.” Through this project, Tbileli reimagines the poem’s characters and the universe they inhabit.
By 2024, Tbileli advanced the project into its third installment, “Anabechdi III,” continuing to employ screen printing techniques to vividly illustrate “The Knight in the Panther’s Skin.”
The Vision Behind "Anabechdi"
Sergo Tbileli’s work, influenced by “The Knight in the Panther’s Skin,” is a pivotal element of his expansive project “Anabechdi.” During the exhibition, Tbileli articulated his vision of the series as a long-term endeavor, slated to evolve over five parts spanning several years. For the initial exhibition, he drew inspiration from the first narrative arc of the poem, which sets the scene with a grand hunt and introduces the two main protagonists.
By 2024, Tbileli advanced the project into its third installment, “Anabechdi III,” continuing to employ screen printing techniques to vividly illustrate “The Knight in the Panther’s Skin.”
The Epic Poem: "The Knight in the Panther's Skin"
Authored by Georgian poet Shota Rustaveli in the twelfth century, “The Knight in the Panther’s Skin” is a cornerstone of Georgia’s Golden Age literature, akin to the chivalric romances of High Medieval and Early Modern Europe. The epic follows the tale of Avtandil and Tariel on a quest to find their beloved, Nestan-Darejan, who symbolizes Queen Tamar. Queen Tamar reigned as the Queen of Georgia from 1184 to 1213, celebrated for her beauty and wisdom, and under whose rule Georgia flourished. Rustaveli was closely associated with the queen, possibly serving as her treasurer.
Regarded as Georgia’s oldest epic, the poem offers a captivating glimpse into the nation’s heroic culture and social ethos. Treasured so deeply, it was historically part of a bride’s dowry and continues to be a staple in Georgian households.
