In the first half of 2007 the All-American Fund of Bulat Okudzhava will sponsor an international festival in Los Angeles dedicated to the memory of the famous poet. This event will be exciting to not only the Russian-speaking community in the United States, but also the people of the poet’s motherland.
As part of the preparations for this occasion, firm “The Art Bridge International” is having an exhibition in its studio. The exposition will feature over one hundred paintings by the two famous Georgian artists, Shota Shanidze and Amiran Parqosadze. These artists have the honor of having known Bulat Okudzhava personally and having met him many times in Moscow between 1975 and 1977. At the exhibition one will be able to see paintings representing the artists’ various creative periods.
The central feature of the show will be a series of over 30 paintings by the artist Shota Shanidze that were inspired by the most popular songs and poems of Bulat Okudzhava. These were painted specifically for the jubilee dedicated to the memory of the poet and will be displayed for the very first time.
Shota Shanidze (born 1945) has the honor of being a National Artist of Georgia. He graduated from the Tbilisi Academy for the Arts in 1971 and is himself an art professor. He is Georgia’s national expert in antiquities. He has participated in numerous exhibitions and has received first place awards at shows in Tbilisi (1973 and 1986), Moscow (1976), Budapest (1977 and 1987), Tokyo (1983), Montre – Switzerland (1990), Saarbrücken and Vienna (1994 and 1995), and Santa Helena – Sardinia (1997). The artist’s paintings hang in museums in Georgia, Russia (including the Tretiakov Gallery), Poland, Hungary, and many private collections around the world. Some of these private collections include that of the former Secretary of State of the United States Madeleine Albright and Chase Manhattan Bank in New York.
Amiran Parqosadze (born 1941) is a Commended Artist of Georgia. He graduated the Tbilisi Academy of Arts in 1968 and is now a professor himself. He has been a participant of numerous exhibitions. He has received first prizes at shows in Moscow (1975, 1977, 1979, and 1980), Tbilisi (1966, 1969, 1977), Budapest (1977, 1985, 1987, 1988), Velostok – Poland (1978), Vienna (1984), Palermo – Italy (1994), and Istambul (1995). The artist’s paintings are in museums in Georgia, Russia (including Tretiakov Gallery), Poland, Hungary, UNESCO headquarters, and in private collections around the world.
As part of the exhibition you will be able to participate in an art auction of the two artists’ works, part of the proceeds from which will go towards the preparation of the upcoming festival. The auction will begin at 4 pm. Those attending the exhibition will also be able to place personal orders with the artists. Music at the exhibition will be provided by the group “Legenda” as well as many other performers. Light hors d’oeuvres and drinks will be served.
Address and contact information:
The Art Bridge International: 9540 Burnet Ave., North Hills, CA 91343.
Phone: 818 830 9090; Fax: 818 830 9499; e-mail:
Amiran Parqosadze: 11 Pan-askerteli Str., # 65, Tbilisi,Georgia, 380094;
Phone/Fax: (985) 32 361165; e-mail: ; website:
Shota Shanidze: 21 Sundukyan, Tbilisi, Georgia, 380002;
Phone (995)32 952384; Fax: 99 95 01; e-mail: