This artist makes a name for himself as he brings ancient art to the comforts of homes. Goga Tandashvili is a sculptor and painter who hails from Moscow, Russia.
He is most prominent for his elaborate and life-like murals. His forte? Three-dimensional sculptures on interior spaces.
Evident in the works of the Russian artist is the distinct style of bas-relief, coupled with a touch of impressionist art. Goga Tandashvili carves bas-relief works on the walls of homes.
For his art, he uses a combination of hand building and . First, he draws the subject on the wall in an impressionist-inspired manner. He makes use of different brush lines and strokes, some of the distinct features of impressionist art.
After finishing the framework of his subject, the artist then adds material on top of the created lines, turning the two-dimensional drawing into a life-like sculpture.
Speaking about his distinct technique, Goga Tandashvili told Bored Panda, “I use a different tool depending on the artistic problem: knives, cutters, chisels, palette knives. The choice of the material is also determined by the task. For the interior, I work with gypsum mixtures. This is the old material that has proved itself for centuries. If there is a need to do work from bronze, granite, marble, steel and so on, then I could also do that.”
Gypsum is a soft white or gray mineral that is used in decoration and construction. It was commonly used for sculpting during the reign of ancient Egypt. Goga Tandashvili specializes in nature-inspired home décors brought to life with bas-relief sculpting technique.
What makes his art a work of bas-relief?
Bas-relief is a sculpting technique that has been existing from way back the ancient times. Technically, bas-relief is a technique of sculpting figures and designs that are slightly raised from their flat background. As a result, the creation somehow looks like a three-dimensional work of art.
Among the early products of this technique are the walls and temples of ancient Egypt, Rome and Greece. Goga makes use of this specific technique of sculpting in his works. His murals are adorned with three-dimensional designs. That means the designs are slightly elevated from the flattened wall.
Among the designs featured in the murals the artist created are long-tailed birds, elaborate flowers and ferns, and ornamental flourishes. His nature-inspired subject is what makes his work different from the subjects of the ancient bas-relief, which often feature mythological creatures.
What makes his work an impressionist-inspired art?
Impressionism is distinguished from other art movements through its everyday subjects. Featured often in impressionist art are landscapes, scenes of everyday life – nature at its most realistic state.
Goga Tandashvili’s murals feature the same subjects. His works are inspired by scenes and figures from nature. With his art, it was like the artist himself brought nature inside closed spaces.
Aside from his subjects that are clearly indicative of its impressionist style, his painting (or the framework for his sculpture) resembles an impressionist art. His lines and brush strokes are reminiscent of the rapid and broken brushworks that are distinct to impressionist paintings.
Goga’s sculpting also follows the tenets of impressionist sculptures. Impressionist sculptures are known for their expressive poses. There is also a sense of movement. Tandashvili’s sculpture clearly embodies these distinct characteristics of impressionist sculpture.
His subjects, particularly the long-tailed birds, do not look like mere static objects. With their elegant poses and expressions, his subjects are depicted as having a dynamic movement. The sculptures do not look flat. Rather, the subjects seem life-like.
All in all, these characteristics are what make his art distinct from other art forms. What is more admirable about this artist is how he made use of the two different styles and techniques – bas-relief and impressionism – to create something of his known. It was as if he appropriated the techniques and created art that will only be identified with him: live sculptures in interior spaces.
Perhaps, it would be safe to say that Goga Tandashvili is indeed among the best artists who use an ancient techniques to make art in modern times.
Aside from making art, Goga Tandashvili shares his knowledge on bas-relief through conducting lectures and workshops. Among the topics included in his masterclass are composition development and shape processing. He also discusses about impressionistic techniques in bas-relief sculpting.
To explore further about Goga Tandashvili and his art, see some photos of his works below:
He brings his life-like sculptures in interior spaces.
His works are inspired from nature. Among his common subjects are birds, flowers, and ferns.
First, he hand draws the framework, then sculpts the design using the bas-relief technique.
It will then result to a three-dimensional work of art.
“I came to sculpture from painting, and I’m very happy to be able to translate it into bas-reliefs,” said Goga Tandashvili in an interview with Bored Panda.
Goga Tandashvili’s works are often described as having life-like accuracy, exuding a feeling of movement.
The Russian artist will definitely be remembered for bringing ancient art to the comforts of homes.
All Photos via Goga Tandashvili