Sunflowers - Morning Glory

"The Theatre of Souls” is an intricate symbolic composition exploring human identity, illusion, and the unseen forces shaping the inner world. Painted in oil and enriched with genuine gold and silver leaf, the work centers on a figure dressed as a jester—eyes almost closed, hands joined, suspended between danger and devotion. The jester’s costume, painted in vivid blue, red, orange, and diamond patterns, becomes a metaphor for the multiplicity of self: the roles we perform, the masks we inherit, and the truths we hide beneath them.

A golden serpent coils around the central figure—its shimmering body rendered in layered gold leaf—symbolizing temptation, knowledge, transformation, or fate, depending on the viewer’s reading. Surrounding the jester are haunting, theatrical masks, some touched with silver leaf, representing fragmented identities, judgment, memory, and the societal pressures that whisper from the periphery of consciousness.

To the left, a demonic crimson creature devours a pale white figure—an allegory of fear, darkness, or past trauma. To the right, ethereal white spirits rise upward, hinting at transcendence, rebirth, or spiritual protection.

At the base of the composition, two praying individuals—one masked, one unmasked—anchor the scene in the tension between faith and illusion. Their upward gaze contrasts with the inward-looking jester, forming a triad of struggle, hope, and contemplation.

Rich in symbolism and executed with bold colour contrasts, refined detail, and luminous metallic surfaces, this artwork invites the viewer to interpret, reflect, and return again and again. It is both a psychological landscape and a spiritual narrative—an unforgettable statement piece for collectors of contemporary surrealist or symbolic art.

This portrait reimagines Queen Tamar, Georgia’s luminous sovereign, whose reign marked the height of the nation’s Golden Age. Layered oil textures and shimmering gold leaf evoke the powerful blend of spiritual wisdom, compassion, and political mastery that defined her rule. Her presence radiates majesty and softness—an embodiment of leadership that transformed a kingdom into an empire and elevated Georgian culture, literature, and faith to their brightest era.

She is shown wearing a deep blue dress, a colour of loyalty and spiritual depth, overlaid with a gold war apron adorned with painted gemstones. This unconventional fusion of adornment and armour symbolizes her dual nature: gentle yet unyielding, radiant yet formidable—a queen who led not only with grace, but with strategic brilliance.

Along the margins, clusters of sweet, juicy grapes—an ancient Georgian symbol of abundance, resilience, and cultural identity—frame the composition, grounding Tamar within the land she shaped and protected.

Her crossed leg, seemingly informal for a queen, is an intentional departure from expectation. It signals the modernity and daring that defined her leadership. As a woman ruling among men, she could not rely on tradition alone; she had to be extraordinary. Her unconventional pose reflects the boldness required to maintain power, advance her politics, and guide Georgia into its Golden Age with strength, confidence, and cultural vision.

This portrayal presents Tamar not only as a historical monarch, but as a timeless figure—an empowered woman whose presence continues to resonate across centuries.

This portrait honours David the Builder, the visionary king who reunified Georgia and laid the foundations for its Golden Age. Through deliberate structure, bold composition, and strength of form, the painting reflects his legacy as a reformer, strategist, and unifier—a monarch who rebuilt not only cities and fortresses, but the spirit and identity of a nation.

David is depicted in royal military attire of deep green and red—colours symbolizing renewal, courage, and sovereignty. In his right hand, he holds a silver sword, a testament to the countless battles he won to liberate and reunify Georgian lands. In his left hand, he carries a golden architectural design: the blueprint of the Gelati Monastery, the masterpiece he founded in 1106. This monastery, both monastic and educational, became a center of learning in theology, philosophy, and science—a place where Georgia's future leaders and scholars were shaped.

To the left of the king, the painting reveals a distant battlefield, acknowledging the military brilliance that secured Georgia's borders and restored its unity. Above him, also to the left, stands the completed Gelati Monastery—a visual echo of his visionary mind: the idea in his hand, the reality in the heavens. This dual imagery binds his earthly conquests with his cultural and spiritual achievements, illustrating a ruler equally devoted to building, teaching, and defending.

The portrait blends architectural symbolism with regal presence, presenting David as both warrior and architect of the nation's destiny. Here, he is shown not just as a king, but as a builder in every sense—a figure whose legacy shaped Georgia's golden future and whose impact endures in stone, scripture, and national memory.

This portrait presents Ketevan the Martyr as a symbol of spiritual endurance, unwavering faith, and the quiet strength of a queen who faced suffering with unbroken resolve. Her serene expression contrasts with the torture and imprisonment she endured, embodying the moral clarity that defined her final moments.

Ketevan is depicted wearing a white dress, symbolizing purity, and a red cape, representing sacrifice, martyrdom, and royal dignity. In her hand, she holds a cross—the faith she refused to renounce even under the most brutal coercion. This cross becomes both a weapon of the spirit and a testament to her unshakable devotion, the very reason she was condemned.

Gold elements woven throughout the composition hint at her sanctity, illuminating her presence with a quiet radiance that transcends earthly suffering. These luminous accents evoke icons and sacred art traditions, aligning her story with centuries of Christian veneration.

The portrait emphasizes the inner strength of a woman who chose conviction over survival, rising beyond fear to become one of the most revered figures in Georgian and Christian history. Her stance, calm yet resolute, reflects a queen not defined by crown or power, but by the depth of her belief and the extraordinary courage of her final act.

Through this painting, Ketevan emerges not only as a martyr but as a timeless emblem of devotion, bravery, and spiritual triumph.

This portrait captures the complexity of Heraclius II, a monarch whose reign unfolded at the crossroads of empires. Navigating the shifting power dynamics of Persia, the Ottoman Empire, and an expanding Russia, he carried the immense weight of protecting Georgia’s sovereignty during one of its most fragile eras.

Heraclius II is depicted in a regal blue outfit, the colour of loyalty, wisdom, and steadfast resolve. In his right hand, he holds a silver sword—symbolizing the battles fought to defend his kingdom and the courage that defined his rule. In his left, he carries the Treaty of Georgievsk, the pivotal 1783 agreement he signed with the Russian Empire. Intended to secure military protection for Georgia, the treaty embodied both hope and risk: a strategic attempt to safeguard the nation’s future, yet a decision that would shape Georgia’s destiny for generations.

Gold leaf accents illuminate the portrait, reflecting his role in preserving Georgian cultural identity amid geopolitical storms. The dynamic brushwork surrounding him suggests instability and tension, echoing the turbulent political landscape he confronted with unwavering determination.

This portrayal presents Heraclius II not merely as a king, but as a leader burdened by impossible choices—one who strove to protect his people through diplomacy, strategy, resilience, and an unshakable commitment to Georgia’s survival.

Thank you for taking the time to walk through this chapter of my journey—one that continues to shape me, teach me, and inspire the art I create today.