KARLO
GRIGOLIA

Karlo Grigolia (კარლო გრიგოლია. 1927-2014) is a significant figure in Georgian art history, one of the most important representative of non-conformist art and a true reformer of Georgian sculpture. 

Born and raised in Senaki, Grigolia enrolled in Tbilisi State Academy of Arts in 1950, at the age of 23. His path can be described as a struggle against the regime, but despite considerable pressure, he made modern art available.

In the 90s, Karlo Grigolia became a member of the International Center of Contemporary Sculpture in Washington, and at the same time, headed the Association of Avant-Gardist artists of Georgia. 

Since 2001, Karlo Grigolia's work has been preserved in the permanent collection of the State University of New York at Fredonia.

Three exhibitions featuring his artistic legacy were organized between 2019 and 2023. Among them, the D. Shevardnadze National Gallery of Georgia held Karlo Grigolia's first retrospective exhibition “Forbidden Art” in March 2023,

curated by G. Grigolia, and co-curated by M. Chikvaidze. The exhibition was presented by the Cultural Center ATINATI.