Nino Saakashvili

About

Nino Saakashvili is a Georgian-German visual artist whose work serves as a bridge between her heritage in Tbilisi and her life in Germany. Her artistic practice is a deep exploration of human existence, spirituality, and the fragile balance between nature and the man-made world.

Drawing deep inspiration from the rugged landscapes of the Caucasus and the ancient spiritual traditions of the Georgian people, her practice explores the fragile equilibrium between nature and human existence.

Philosophy & Themes

Nino's portraits go beyond simple likeness; they capture intimate emotional connections, reflecting both the luminous and the shadowed moments of the human experience. Her Georgian Orthodox Christian heritage and spiritual beliefs play a central role in her artistic expression, with works exploring themes of faith, saints, and the concept of eternity.

Alongside figurative and thematic works, Nino Saakashvili explores abstraction, using color, form, and material experimentation to express emotions and inner experiences. Her first solo exhibition in Ia Kutateladze Gallery, titled "Meaning of Life During War and Peace," presents a retrospective of new paintings specifically created to explore the exploration of life, war, and human existence.

She works with diverse materials including oil, tempera, acrylic, pastel, and watercolor on paper, wood, textile, and canvas.

Light in the Spirit of Art

Academic & Professional Foundations

Nino Saakashvili holds Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Biology, as well as a Bachelor's degree in Scriptwriting from Tbilisi State University and a Certificate in Management and Organizational Development from Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA.

Early in her career, she worked as a scientist at the Institute of Physiology in Georgia, focusing on cancer research. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union and the closure of scientific institutions, she transitioned into civic and public work, becoming a spokesperson for the Georgian Green Movement in 1989.

Leadership & International Development

1992–1993: Represented the Georgian Greens in Germany and collaborated with the Bündnis 90/Die Grünen faction in the Saxon Parliament in Dresden.
1994–1996: Executive Director of the American organization ISAR in Georgia.
1997–2008: Founded the "Horizonti – Foundation for the Third Sector."

Current Impact

2008–2022: Established the Georgian Evaluation Association.
2009–Present: Established and leads Evaluation and Management Consulting.
Global Reach: Her work has supported thousands of non-governmental, governmental, and international organizations across Georgia, Eastern, Central, and Western Europe, the United States, and beyond.

Nino Saakashvili divides her time between Gedelitz, Berlin, and Tbilisi.