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Events5 Questions With… Ilana Slutsky
Founded in 2022, KERA Gallery has quickly become a vital presence in Georgia’s contemporary art scene — championing Georgian artists while creating dialogue with international voices through exhibitions and a growing residency programme. Ahead of their participation in MEGA, we caught up with founder and director Ilana Chkheidze to talk about community, creative exchange, and a pivotal show that shaped the way she approaches curating.
1. Can you introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about your gallery?
My name is Ilana, and I’m the founder and director of KERA Gallery. I officially opened the gallery in 2022, though I’ve been working in the arts since 2018. Things paused a bit during the pandemic, but the idea behind KERA was always clear — to present mostly Georgian emerging and established artists, while also involving international artists and building connections between Georgia and the wider art world. We also run a residency programme, which is part of that mission — creating a space for exchange and collaboration. Georgia is a small country, but full of very creative people. It’s important to open up those networks and keep building outward.
2. What will you be showing at MEGA in Milan?
We’ll be showing work by three artists: two Georgian artists, Tedo Rekhviashvili and Mako Lomadze, who will both present paintings, and Lina Condes — a Ukrainian-born, American-based artist — who will show sculpture. It’s the first time we’re showing these three artists together in Europe, and I hope people love the presentation. I’m really proud to be bringing them to Milan.
3. What is the gallery community like in Tbilisi, and how important is it for you to connect internationally?
This is actually one of the main reasons I wanted to start the gallery. There are so many creative people here — not just in visual arts but also in music, fashion, performance. But it’s a small country, and it’s so important for artists to be able to travel, to see things, to be seen. At the same time, it’s important to bring people here — to invite international artists and curators and create dialogue. When artists from different contexts come together, something new happens. It’s very inspiring. And Georgia itself is a very inspiring place — the nature, the culture, the nightlife, the people. I think we definitely need more art fairs here too!
4. Can you tell us about a moment or project that helped shape your identity as a gallery?
About a year ago, we presented Memory Power and Temptations, a solo show by Tedo Rekhviashvili. It took two years to realise — it was very emotional for him, his first solo show in Georgia since returning from New York. We found a huge space — an old factory used for filming, not exactly abandoned but raw — and it became part of the exhibition. The space was 1,200 square metres, with six-metre ceilings, and I honestly can’t imagine showing that work anywhere else. It was a turning point for me — I realised that it’s never just about having a gallery space. It’s always about the artist’s needs. Now, we always start with the concept, and then we find the space that fits.
5. If you could collaborate with any gallery or curator — at MEGA or beyond — who would it be and why?
Honestly, anyone who is open to collaboration! Anyone who’s excited about creating international dialogue — who wants to share artists, exchange ideas, and build something together across borders. The list of participants at MEGA is amazing, and I’d be happy to work with any of them.
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