Laly Konlan Artist's daughter Country: Georgia

Biography of Lali Konlan

Lali Konlan, the daughter of the renowned Georgian artist Otar Shiukashvili, was born on March 13, 1995 in Rockville, Maryland. She grew up surrounded by her father's paintings and developed a deep admiration for his talent. She was fascinated by his ability to capture the essence of life, emotions, colors, and human thoughts through his artistry.

Otar Shiukashvili's journey as an artist and as a person began in a small town called Leningori in Georgia in 1921. After completing school in Telavi, he enrolled in an art school in Tbilisi. However, his education was interrupted by the war. He served on the frontlines, almost reaching Berlin, but was injured and returned to Tbilisi. It was there that he reunited with his friends, including Lali's mother, with whom he had a close friendship that eventually blossomed into a marriage.

When Lali was born, her father entered the Academy of Arts while her mother attended the Pushkin Pedagogical Institute. Lali's grandmother supported the family financially, and her father received a Stalin scholarship. Examples of his early work include a portrait of her great-grandmother from 1947 when he was only in his second year of studies and a pencil portrait of her mother from the same year.

After the war, life in the Soviet Union was challenging for a young family trying to balance their studies and raising a child. However, they found solace in their ancestral village, which had preserved their family's property from confiscation by the Bolsheviks. The local peasants, who respected and admired Lali's great-grandmother for teaching them literacy, took care of their garden out of love and respect for the family.

Otar Shiukashvili's life in the Soviet Union can be divided into two distinct periods: before Moscow and after Moscow. Before Moscow, he attended the Tbilisi Academy of Arts, graduated with honors, and worked as the head of the educational department at an art school in the so-called South Ossetia. He also worked as an animator at the "Georgia-Film" studio. In 1955, he went to Moscow to "seek his fortune," where he found work at "Mosfilm" and continued to paint still lifes and portraits at home. In Moscow, he met his second wife through Georgian emigrants, and eventually they got married. They moved to Moscow permanently in 1957, and Otar Shiukashvili became a member of the Moscow Union of Artists. He had his own studio, participated in exhibitions both in the Soviet Union and abroad, and received recognition for his portrait of ballerina Galina Ulanova at the International Art Exhibition in Vienna.

In the late 1970s, Otar Shiukashvili's wife expressed a desire to emigrate to the United States, primarily to secure a better future for their son and avoid his potential military conscription. After some persuasion from Lali, he agreed to the move, and in 1978 they immigrated to New York. Life in New York City was challenging for him as an artist, as he struggled to adjust to the new surroundings. However, he found solace in Washington, D.C., where his daughter Lali had settled with her American husband. Lali convinced him to move to Washington, and in 1986, they held his first personal exhibition in their home. The exhibition was a success, and it led to more exhibitions in Alexandria, Virginia, and various galleries in New York.

Otar Shiukashvili continued to paint prolifically, exploring new styles and techniques. He exhibited his works in Taiwan, where his art received great acclaim. However, in November 1985, he suffered a severe heart attack, which was likely a result of the stress and emotional burden he carried. Despite his health setbacks, he remained a dedicated and proud artist until his passing.

Lali treasures the artworks her father left behind. She has several of his paintings, including portraits of herself and her family members. She fondly remembers him as a loving and adoring father, even though he was not expressive with his emotions. After his death, she discovered the depth of his love for her through his unfinished portrait of her. She regrets not having legal rights to a portion of his artwork and the inability to organize posthumous exhibitions. However, she cherishes the memories and the legacy he left behind as a talented and respected artist.