TBILISI, March 1 (Itar-Tass) – A personal exhibition of sculptor Zurab Tsereteli, the president of the Russian Art Academy, opened in his native city of Tbilisi on Wednesday. Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili, Tbilisi Mayor Gigi Ugulava and Tsereteli himself attended the opening ceremony.
The exposition features dozens of Tsereteli’s works that have been displayed in several European countries.
Almost 250 photographs that are on view reflect the sculptor’s life and career. President Mikhail Saakashvili said that renovation of the museum’s building and the exhibition of Tsereteli’s works were two major events in Georgia’s cultural life. He noted that Tsereteli had created many sculptures for Georgia in recent decades.
In 2006, Tsereteli presented a 5-meter high and 3-meter wide sculpture of St. George the Victorious to Tbilisi. The sculpture became the finishing part of a 33-meter monument of Georgia’s freedom and independence which was unveiled in Tbilisi in 2006.
In October 2011, a Tsereteli-made bronze monument depicting the characters of the film “Mimino” directed by Georgy Daneliya was unveiled in Tbilisi.
At present, Tsereteli is working on a monument to actor Ramaz Chkhikvadze, the People’s Artist of Georgia and the Soviet Union. It will also be installed in Tbilisi.