On June 3, 2017, the Calouste Gulbenkian Hall of the “Hayartun” Center at the Armenian Diocese in Georgia was packed. In attendance were people of different ethnic and religious backgrounds, art-loving public residing in Tbilisi. The event commemorating great painter Giovanni Vepkhvadze, who captured in his paintings the colors that are characteristic of Tbilisi, included a postmortem personal exhibition and the presentation of his third memoir.

“Chronicle of Past Events” - this was the title of the exhibition showcasing nearly 30 works of art, which mainly are the expression of the artist’s great love of Tbilisi, reproduction of Tbilisi pictures with its multiethnic population. His paintings reflect different views, districts, workshops, yards of the city, preserved either in old photographs or in memories of Tbilisi’s older residents. The works of the talented painter, which adorned the auditorium, were a cause for both admiration and pity that a true citizen of Tbilisi died so early.
The exhibition was organized by the painter’s family with the support of the Hayartun Center at the Armenian Diocese in Georgia.
The occasion was honored with the presence of the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan.
In his opening remarks, Head of the Hayartun Center and the Cultural Department Director in the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, Levon Chidilyan emphasized that the talented painter had participated in many art exhibitions in the country and abroad, but the artist’s first personal exhibition had opened in the Calouste Gulbenkian Hall, presentation of his two monographs had been hosted by the Hayartun Center. He expressed great regret that the exhibition was being held without the artist and his sincere, slightly humorous and polite speech. Speeches were made by Irena Ohanjanova, the President of the Union of Armenian Painters of Georgia; the Chairman of the Union of Armenian Intellectuals of Georgia, Yenok Tadevosyan; artist Olesya Tavadze, journalist Nona Mosesova, poetess Marina Khomeladze, Levon Osipov, Igor Nagorny and others. Referring to the life and career of Giovanni Vepkhvadze, they mentioned that he was the third-generation artist, highlighting his dedication to the preservation of colors that are characteristic of Tbilisi and passing them to future generations.
Giovanni was not only an artist, but a talented writer as well. His short stories about the local events connected with the city of Tbilisi have been preserved in memories of the residents of Tbilisi thanks to his three memoirs, one of which was published after the author’s death.
The Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia conveyed his blessings and remarks to the attendees. Art-loving public will always remember talented Giovanni, who was spreading love and kindness, through his unrepeatable artworks, splendid monographs, humorous speech, his honest and modest nature, his children who have devoted their lives to the art. Giovanni is not here today physically, but his soul is here and conveying blessings to the attendees, - highlighted the Primate.
The artist’s widow, Marina Vepkhvadze, expressed gratitude for helping organize the exhibition, book presentation and commemorative event.
During the event humorous recording of Giovanni’s speech was also heard, the screening of an extract from a documentary about the talented artist, writer and true citizen took place.
The exhibition will run until June 20.