Beginning of December I was invited to Tbilisi the capital of Gerogia to paint a mural for the Human Rights NGO Truth Hounds. Truth Hounds is actually a Ukrainian NGO which is investigating, documenting and monitoring human rights violations but they also offer a safe haven for activists whose security is threatened.
This was a win-win situation, they would get more attention to their cause by inviting (inter-)national artists and I would be able to paint a motive close to the heart and on top make some contacts with human right defenders.
Visiting Tbilisi was definitely an interesting trip, the city is scattered with soviet-style grey housing blocks, that offer walls over walls, ultra-modern skyscrapers and really old houses. I can see a lot of potential to convert this into a colourful city and it feels great to be a part of that. But on top what really motivated me visiting was to paint my motive EVE which was perfect for the wall but also for the location in general. Parts of Georgia are occupied by Russia and such the country is divided between the two nations. The idea of EVE is that we are all connected and share the same ancestors and thus makes the idea of borders and separating people into “us” and “them” obsolete.
I have also made a limited edition silk screen print of this motive, which you can find here.
