'Art, as a metaphysical phenomenon, determines the spiritual level of the conscious and influences the development of society by affirming non material values.' —Niniko Morbedadze
NINIKO MORBEDADZE (1957) was born and is based in Tbilisi, Georgia. She attended the Tbilisi State Academy of Art, Faculty of Graphic Art.
In her surreal, dreamlike oeuvre Niniko Morbedadze reflects on the world around her, she transcribes the intangible undercurrents that flow between people and their surroundings. The unsaid is communicated through glances, piercing stares, the body language and scale of the characters inhabiting her fantastical settings. While ambiguity reigns in her works, certain visual cues dictate the mood.
Niniko employs a mix of acrylic and India ink on paper, creating highly detailed and textured pieces that appear both delicate and intricate. The fine use of ink outlines and hatching techniques adds layers of texture, enhancing the organic forms, fabrics, feathers and vegitation.
She is meticulous about composition and gives equal weight to the foreground and background of her pieces.
Niniko’s depictions of the human body seamlessly intertwine sculpturesque grandeur with nimble, lightweight dynamism. Skilfully depicted momentum and motion of the human anatomy is energetic and intensely communicative. Shadows take on lives of their own, carrying significant visual weight.
The surreal pieces evoke a sense of mystery and narrative, combining whimsy with introspection and drawing viewers into a space where reality and fantasy intersect.
In September 2023 the National Gallery of Georgia hosted a wildly popular retrospective exhibition of Niniko’s oeuvre featuring over one hundred works and sketches created by the artist over a thirty-year career. The show attracted more than 20,000 visitors over the one month exhibition period.
Niniko had her international auction debut in July 2020 when her work Beyond Time sold at Phillips auction in London. Her second auction sale took place in April 2021 when The Fairy Tale sold during the 20th Century & Contemporary Art Day Sale at Phillips, London. Her last auction sale was in June, 2023 during the 20th Century to Now sale at Phillips with Stone Histories, a work on canvas.
Niniko Mordedadze’s works have been acquired into private collections spanning from London to San Diego as well to public collections such as the Norton and Nancy Dodge Collection at the Zimmerli Art Museum, New Jersey and the Shalva Amiranashvili Museum of Fine Arts, Georgia. She has exhibited internationally in Europe, the US and the Middle East.
Selected Exhibition History
Solo exhibitions:
2025 NADA Art Fair solo presentation, NY, USA
2024 Le repos, CH64 Gallery, Tbilisi, Georgia
2023 Niniko Morbedadze Retrospective, Dimitri Shevardnadze National Gallery, Tbilisi, Georgia.
2022 Continuum, CH64 Gallery, Tbilisi, Georgia.
2021 Niniko Morbedadze, CH64 Gallery, Tbilisi, Georgia.
2013 Campa Art-project, Album Presentation. Baia Gallery, Tbilisi, Georgia.
2010 Niniko Morbedadze, Chardin Art Gallery. Tbilisi, Georgia.
1992 Niniko Morbedadze: Inner Search. International Images Gallery, Pittsburgh, PA.
Group exhibitions:
2024 Tbilisi Independent, Frieze No.9 Cork Street, London, UK
2024 Where to?, CH64 Gallery X High Line Nine Galleries, New York, USA
2019 Baia Gallery, Tbilisi, Georgia.
2018 Tbilisi Art Fair (TAF), Georgia.
2017 Vanda Gallery, Tbilisi, Georgia.
2016 Vernissage Gallery, Tbilisi, Georgia.
2015 Chardin Art Gallery, Tbilisi, Georgia.
2009 Fest I Nova. Art-villa Garikula, Akhalkalaki, Georgia.
2004 Metamorphosis. Venice International Biennale of Architecture, Italy.
2003 Tbilisi History Museum, Georgia.
2002 Universe Gallery, Tbilisi, Georgia.
2001 Tbilisi History Museum, Georgia.
1999 Orient Gallery, Tbilisi, Georgia.
1998 Modern Art Gallery, Tbilisi, Georgia.
1997 N Gallery, Tbilisi, Georgia.
1996 Modern Art Gallery, Tbilisi, Georgia.
1995 Hobby Gallery, Tbilisi, Georgia.
1993 Inside and Outside, Bell Gallery, Basel, Switzerland.
1989 R.B. Stevenson Gallery, San Diego, USA.