Georgian Theatre Day – Mask Exhibition
On January 14 at 6:00 PM, the Art Palace of Georgia – Museum of Cultural History, with the support of the Ministry of Culture of Georgia, presents a mask exhibition dedicated to Georgian Theatre Day. The exhibition brings together the traditions of different cultures with one space.
The display features theatrical, religious, and carnival masks from various eras and cultures, showcasing a history that spans many centuries. Among the exhibits are a Hungarian folk Busó mask, associated with the Hungarian liberation struggle against the Ottoman Turks, and a traditional Georgian Berikoba theatrical mask. Visitors will also see Venetian carnival masks—one of the most iconic symbols of the carnival tradition, whose history extends from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance. Also on display is the Venetian “Jolly,” a jester-type mask linked to the theatrical tradition of Commedia dell’arte. The exhibition further includes a Greek terracotta mask used in theatrical performances in Ancient Greece, as well as masks from African, Mongolian, Indian, Thai, Philippine, Japanese, and other cultures.
The exhibition space will be fulfilled by unique masks created by young Georgian artist Shota Tkhilishvili. He is a self-taught artist and currently the only mask-maker in Georgia working in his own distinctive genre. His work combines relief art, history, mythology, and the traditional craft of mask-making. He has developed an individual technique with no known equivalent. Tkhilishvili is a certified specialist in artistic wood carving and the founder of the brands Menigbe and Sunstate.
The exhibition will feature 20 masks created by the artist, inspired by motifs from Georgian culture, history, and mythology. Shota Tkhilishvili is an artist, mask-maker, and decorator, and his works represent a synthesis of visual art, theatre, and design, adding a rich and diverse dimension to the palace’s exhibition.