Shako Khrikuli

Shako Khrikuli

(b. 1991, Georgia)

Shako Khrikuli is an artist. He paints and works in Georgia (he thinks that America would suit him). He studied at the Tbilisi State Academy of Arts. His artistic directions include painting, graphics, performance, and object.

Artist Statement

I am a visual artist, working across different techniques including pencil, painting (acrylic, oil, tempera, watercolor), performance, and object-based work. From these, drawing still takes up most of my time.

If I judge by my work from the last three years 2023-2026(drawings), my approach has become more technically oriented toward realism. The process is, in most cases, traditional, meaning that preparatory work is always involved. For example, I first make a drawing in a chosen technique, which in itself already functions as a finished artwork. From that point, I begin to develop my thinking from it, both in terms of color and scale.

As for the research and subject matter of the drawing process, in many cases I do not need to invent visuals. Everything I use in my works exists around me; I always make use of existing objects, visuals, and so on.

What happens in the works themselves, in terms of subject matter, is still heavy both conceptually and visually. In many cases it comes out sarcastic and ironic, but overall it is easy to perceive as a whole. I am more focused on objects and environments, and less on the human body, but when the human figure appears, it looks vulnerable, lost within its own created environment. It is not the main character, and its presence can even feel somewhat disturbing. As I mentioned above, during the last three years my work has developed more toward realism. At the same time, surreal elements often appear, because I do not avoid what the subconscious offers, even if it may seem like nonsense. I think this fits well into the visual reality that exists around me, creating a kind of combination of physical and non-physical reality.

Rarely, I also make performances. These are also more sarcastic, interactive, and are often focused on putting people in uncomfortable situations, encouraging them to take bold steps. I think my works carry a sense of anxiety, because I believe that anxiety throws you into an unusual state, which pushes you toward movement, toward change, toward something new, and all of this has no alternative.

Exhibitions [Georgia]

2025 Group Exhibition, Handmade print festival, Beyond gallery| MOMA Tbilisi

2025 Solo exhibition | Performance, FAISTLES KHRIKULI, Gamrekeli modern gallery

2024 Group Exhibition | Performance, Tbilisi art fair [TAF], Vanda Gallery

2023 Group Exhibition, The Place, Vanda art gallery

2023 Solo exhibition, GOOD BOY, Vanda art gallery

2023 Performance, Georgian - German quality

2022 Group Exhibition, Tbilisi art fair [TAF]

2022 Group Exhibition, Project 168

2021 Group Exhibition, Pero event

2021 Group Exhibition, Project 168

2021 Group Exhibition, Project 365-times in 00

2020 Group Exhibition, Project 168

2020 Solo exhibition, Long

2019 Group Exhibition, Project 168

2019 Group Exhibition, The Sun and Some People