When the first BI Auction Competition for Young Artists launched, few expected it would not only uncover new talent but also highlight stories of perseverance and balance. Among those stories is that of Mariam Dolidze, whose artistic journey has been interlaced with her personal milestones in the most remarkable way.

“She came to us first as a newlywed student,” recalls Bengü Akçardak Küçük, Co-founder of BI Auction. “The following year, she participated again—this time while pregnant. By the third year, she returned with her young son beside her. Mariam showed us that art and family can truly grow together. She never paused, never stepped away, and that determination shines in her work today.”

A Turning Point in 2020

Mariam’s defining moment came in 2020, when she won the BI Auction Competition. The recognition pushed her onto Georgia’s contemporary art stage, and soon beyond. Exhibitions followed—locally and internationally—spanning from People and Paintings Gallery (USA) to art.9hk (Hong Kong) and Aedra Fine Arts’ global “Pearl Space” exhibition.

Closer to home, she painted a monumental mural for the United Nations’ “Science is Captain” project at Batumi State University and contributed to thought-provoking showcases such as “Remembrance” and “Holocaust Remembrance,” exploring how art can preserve collective memory.

The Artist’s Voice in a Complex World

“The art world is in a fascinating but difficult place,” Mariam reflects. With global connectivity at an all-time high, artists from smaller nations like Georgia can now join international dialogues more easily. Yet, challenges remain—financial constraints, limited institutional backing, and political pressures often weigh heavily on emerging artists.

Still, she sees hope: “Today, many artists are not only creating beautiful works—they’re addressing deep social, environmental, and emotional issues. It’s a moment where individual voices matter, and together, they’re shaping the future of art.”

New Chapters Ahead

In 2023, Mariam completed her Master’s degree at the Tbilisi State Academy of Arts, further refining her creative language. With a fresh perspective, she is now engaged in new projects, including “Ghani,” a multidisciplinary initiative with the Tbilisi Architects Association. Her contribution will explore space, identity, and love—themes that she believes anchor both her personal and artistic journey.

She’s also preparing for an upcoming group exhibition featuring Georgian and international artists, a collaboration she sees as an extension of her belief that art is a bridge between cultures, stories, and lives.

An Artist Who Never Stopped

Through every season of her life—newlywed, expectant mother, young parent—Mariam Dolidze has chosen to keep creating. Her path is not just a testament to artistic talent but also to resilience, discipline, and a belief that art can be woven seamlessly into the fabric of daily life.

She embodies the spirit of a generation of Georgian artists who are stepping onto the world stage—voices shaped by local roots, yet speaking a universal language of creativity, memory, and hope.