“Art is a gift, as well as the load to carry – but a gift nonetheless. It brings joy, fills you up, and stays by your side”
– Merab Kopaleishvili
Merab Kopaleishvili, born in Senaki, Georgia in 1967, began painting at just three years old with Czech pencils—a rare quality in the Soviet Union. His early talent led him to study painting, sculpture, and repousse at an art school in Samtredia, and later, he attended Toidze Arts School in Tbilisi.
After school, he worked as a painter-decorator at Dumbadze Professional State Youth Theatre and prepared for entry into the Tbilisi State Academy of Arts, where he studied under prominent Georgian artists, graduating in 1995. However, life’s challenges often forced Kopaleishvili to balance his passion for art with work as a vendor, allowing him limited time to pursue his craft. Despite these constraints, he developed a distinct style, producing expressive oil paintings and papier-mâché sculptures.
In 2022, Kopaleishvili held his first solo exhibition at the Tbilisi History Museum, marking a significant turning point in his career. Reach Art Visual, an art consulting agency, soon recognized his talent, showcasing his work internationally, including at the Tbilisi Art Fair (TAF) and Asia NOW Paris Art Fair in 2024, where his piece “Deer” was displayed.
Today, Kopaleishvili continues his creative journey in Tbilisi, where he lives with his wife and two children.
