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Since 2019, the festival has been transforming Georgia’s capital city into a giant public art gallery.
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All images courtesy of Tblisi Mural Fest, shared with permission
Tbilisi Mural Fest’s Dynamic Murals Brighten the Sides of Buildings Throughout the City
November 21, 2025
Art
Kate Mothes
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Established in 2019, Tbilisi Mural Fest has a deceptively simple goal: to turn Georgia’s capital city into one huge public gallery. For the artist-organizers, who also create works under the moniker TMF Studio, contemporary murals have the ability to transform unsightly, blocky developments into giant works of art. The paintings are not only a pleasure to look at but also create a more inviting urban environment.
With a few exceptions, much of the recent work created for the festival is representational, showing people engaged in activities like harvesting grapes or dancing. International artists bring a variety of styles to often narrow, vertical compositions, adorning the sides of multilevel buildings.
Afzan Pirzade and TMF Studio, part of the “Dance” series
Through a wide range of figurative, geometric, or abstract styles, Tbilisi’s mural program is expanded each year, engaging viewers in both commercial and residential areas. Find more on the festival’s website and Instagram.
TMF Studio
Detail of work by TMF Studio
Edoardo Ettorre, “Concrete Horizons”
Afzan Pirzade and Besik Maziashvili, “The Most Sacred Connection of All.” Photo by David Chalodze and Anano Kekelia
Afzan Pirzade and Besik Maziashvili, “The Most Sacred Connection of All” (detail)
Fintan Magee, “Girl in Mirrors”
Afzan Pirzade and TMF Studio, “Samaya”
Afzan Pirzade and TMF Studio, part of the “Dance” series (detail)
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Community, Traditions, and Resilience Ring Through New Public Works for Tbilisi Mural Fest
December 31, 2024
Art
Kate Mothes
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Residents and commuters alike can now enjoy more than 20 new, large-scale public artworks across five Georgian cities thanks to the 2024 Tbilisi Mural Fest (previously). The sixth edition facilitated new installations in Kutaisi, Batumi, Gori, and Gurjaani—in addition to its namesake community—by nearly a dozen artists from around the country and beyond.
Many of the works reference local traditions, like Afzan Pirzade’s depiction of vintners holding a basket of grapes, representing a form of agriculture common in the eastern region of Kakheti. Tina Chertova incorporated a traditional lace-like pattern into a stunning, blue, multistory mural featuring birds, people, deer, and other decorative motifs. And in others, figures assume mythical personas, prepare food, and portray togetherness.
This year, the monumental compositions adorn the sides of buildings that range from two stories tall to more than a dozen, the largest painting reaching 65 meters tall and 20 meters wide. Through vibrant splashes of color, the works celebrate resilience, community, and local customs in an array of styles.
Explore more on the festival’s website.
Innefields, Batumi
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