Nodar Topuria

Sculptor and educator Nodar Topuria primarily worked in the genre of small-form sculpture. For him sculpture became the most natural language through which to express his inner world. He transformed his thoughts and emotions into tangible shapes, using materials like plaster and bronze.

His works often blend the real and the imaginary. Human and animal bodies take on unusual, often surreal forms, drawing the viewer’s attention beyond the physical — into the depths of the spiritual and emotional. Through this, Topuria created sculptures that feel alive, emotionally charged, and deeply human.

He studied sculpture at the Tbilisi State Academy of Arts from 1964 to 1970 under the guidance of Nikoloz Kandelaki. Even as a student, his refined and colorful plaster figures attracted the attention of the art community.

Topuria’s professional path included both an active exhibition career and a long-standing dedication to teaching. He became a member of the Union of Artists in 1973 and participated in numerous international sculpture symposiums. He also held key academic and administrative roles. In 1993, he was appointed Director of the House of Artists. From 1994 to 2006, he served as a professor at the Department of Fine Arts at the Tbilisi Institute of Culture. In 2007, he was named “Teacher of the Year” by the Tbilisi Academy of Arts.

With elegant forms and emotionally resonant works, Nodar Topuria developed a singular artistic voice — one that visualized the ongoing transformation between body and soul.

His sculpture Transfiguration was awarded the State Prize, and he was also honored with the Order of Honor.

Nodar Topuria passed away in 2023, but his art continues to speak — of unseen worlds, inner journeys, and the transformative power of form.