While there is a global pandemic on the planet, GZAAT is hosting a painting competition, standing firm against the cruel virus and not giving up the sipit. No kind of pandemic can obstruct the GZAAT painters from enjoying their favourite activity and expressing their emotions by the means of art!
The Art Competition, hosted by Nutsa Mdivani, was a productive and creative way to help GZAAT artists express their emotions resulting from the pandemic. On November second, Nutsa announced the start of the competition by sending the whole school an informative email. The specific theme of the artworks should have been Covid-19 pandemic and the contestants were free to paint anything connected to it. They had full freedom to show their creativity! Students had fourteen days to think of an idea and to carry it out on a paper, canvas or any electric device. On November fifteenth, after Nutsa had every contestants’ piece, she announced that the voting will be held on Facebook. She posted all of the paintings on GZAAT Facebook profile and everyone could vote by just clicking the like button of a specific picture. On November twenty-first the winners were announced. First place - Dachi Gvinadze - with the painting named the “Lonely Birthday” (photo no.1); second place - Natali Sulukhia - with the piece under the name of “A Girl with a Computer”(photo no.2); and lastly the third place - Anastasia Mirianashvili - author of the painting called “We Are All In This Together” (photo no.3)
The competition organizer, Nutsa Mdivani was interviewed about her thoughts on the Competition results:
Interviewer: Nutsa, your hosted art competition was really joyful and amazing. Was it your first time organizing an event like this one?
Nutsa Mdivani: This is the first time I have ever organized a competition. I am a volunteer in the charity organization, Helping Hand, which holds grant contests. I applied, and luckily, my idea about holding an art competition was awarded the grant. I myself love drawing and I think that given the present situation, it is a great means of expressing one’s self. I believe that those who love drawing think the same way. I am delighted that I was able to give the GZAAT students an opportunity to put their emotions into their works.
Interviewer: Were the painters from all of the grades? Which class had the most people participating in the competition?
Nutsa Mdivani: Surprisingly, not many students participated, only six. I received more pictures, but, sadly, they did not correspond with the theme. Those who took part were from grades 8, 9, and 10, with most of them from the 8th grade.
Interviewer: How did you end up making a voting platform on Facebook? Why Facebook?
Nutsa Mdivani: Why Facebook? Since the competition was organized for our students, the school’s Facebook page was the best space, for the voting to be fair, transparent, and accessible to a large audience. I want to thank Ia Topuria for her assistance. I think the project aroused great interest in the social network, so a lot of people got engaged. The pictures participating were really competitive!
The First place winner, sophomore Dachi Gvinadze, was asked about his piece and his relationship with the art itself:
Interviewer: Dachi congratulations! Your piece had the highest number of votes. Have you been interested in art since your childhood?
Dachi Gvinadze: Yes, I have been painting since childhood. During many years of painting, I have tried out different techniques and styles. I used to draw with a pencil, then markers, and then with gouache. Lately, I started using oil paint. At first, It was difficult, however, I got the hang of it. Another interesting fact is that I haven’t been taught by anyone. I started painting on my own and this helped me to be free and do things my way.
Interviewer: Your drawing “Lonely Birthday” is spectacular! Did it take you a lot of time to think of this idea?
Dachi Gvinadze: Yes, it took a long time for me to think about the idea. We were given two weeks to finish the artwork. It’s not easy to come up with ideas. In fact, during those fourteen days until the deadline, I spent twelve days coming up with the idea. And when I had the idea, I painted for two days and was able to submit the artwork just right before the deadline.
INterviewer: What was the inspiration for your artwork?
Dachi Gvinadze: The idea of my artwork is to show the loneliness that COVID-19 has brought us. During the pandemic, we were separated from friends and in some cases - families. During these hard times, people weren’t able to celebrate their birthdays with the people they love. So it’s about loneliness. The chosen colours that I drew with gives a sad tone to the painting, representing loneliness and sadness that the pandemic has brought us.
Second place holder, Natali Sulukhia, also answered a few questions concerning her painting and her future plans connected to her hobby:.
Interviewer: Natali, your piece “A girl with a computer” was very interesting and relatable to almost everyone, how long did it take you to think of the idea?
Natalia Sulukhia: It took me two days. I had other ideas too but I thought this one would be more relatable.
Interviewer: Are you looking forward to taking part in our school’s future art competitions?
Natalia Sulukhia: Yes, I surely am. I consider painting one of my favourite hobbies and I am really passionate about it.
The award ceremony was supposed to take place in the school, but it was cancelled due to the restrictions related to COVID-19. Despite this, Nutsa invited all of the winners in a Zoom meeting, where she virtually rewarded them with their prizes and diplomas, which are waiting for them in the school.
Thanks to Nutsa, GZAAT discovered amazing and talented artists. Undoubtedly, a successful future awaits them! If you have not seen these amazing and creative paintings yet, make sure to go to GZAAT facebook profile and do so, but be aware not to forget the name of Leonardo “Da Vinki”, because those artists really put their talent on the table!
Edited by Keta Tavartkiladze
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