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By Hana Heo, Editor
Photo credits: Hana Heo
In September 2018, the Project ArtBeat in Tskaltubo, Georgia showcased Lado Pochkhua's solo exhibition, marking another milestone in the career of Nino Makarashvili, a Georgian curator who successfully managed her first exhibition in the U.S. after less than a year in New York. With over 60 exhibitions to her name, Makarashvili continues to promote artists and share regional art with global audiences.
Nino Makarashvili, the director and curator of FLAG Art Group, plays a vital role in this innovative organization dedicated to art and culture in the Eastern Metropolitan area. FLAG supports both emerging and established artists through various events and media, including live exhibitions, an online art gallery, artist interviews, and printed catalogs. Alongside co-founder Sylvia Kim and creative director Doug Liggio, Makarashvili leads the group with a vision for the future, aiming to promote collaboration between creative enterprises and share local art with broader audiences.
Makarashvili holds a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Art History and Theory from Tbilisi State University and commenced her Ph.D. in 2012. Her extensive experience includes curating at Project ArtBeat and the Georgian Museum of Fine Arts, as well as organizing international exhibitions across Europe, Asia, and America.
Art has always been a part of Makarashvili's life, inspired by her grandmother, the director of Georgia's Culture House. Despite the challenges of working in the arts in Georgia, her passion for art fueled her journey.
Born and raised in Tbilisi, a city rich in contemporary art, Makarashvili pursued her Ph.D. focusing on new media within modern art. Her prior roles as a lecturer, cultural leader, and participant in various art fairs globally have enriched her expertise. Notably, she co-founded the art residency ARCHEID, supporting cultural sustainability.
Driven by New York's status as a hub for art and influenced by her visits to American art exhibitions, Makarashvili moved to Fort Lee, New Jersey, in June 2019. Upon a friend's recommendation, she met Sylvia Kim, leading to the establishment of FLAG.
Among her notable projects, Shots Across the Plane in May 2018 stands out, featuring international artists and marking their first exhibition in Georgia. Another memorable exhibition took place in September 2018 at a former railway station in Tskaltubo, Georgia.
Having concluded FLAG's first exhibition, All Media, All Cultures – Beyond Cultural Identities, Makarashvili plans to continue her directorial and curatorial work. A second exhibition is being planned for March 2020, with details to be shared through FLAG's platforms.
Nino Makarashvili currently directs and curates for FLAG Art Group and is pursuing her Ph.D. at Tbilisi State University.
For more information, visit FLAG's website, Instagram, Artsy, and Facebook.
