Help Fund Photography Exhibition on Russia’s Occupation in Georgia

On August 8, fifteen years will have passed since Russia invaded Georgia. As Russian soldiers continue to destroy lives inside and outside of occupied zones, it is essential that these stories come to light. Through a photography exhibition to be held on the anniversary of Russia’s war with Georgia, our up-and-coming photography collective, Lazika Images, offers an unprecedented window into life under occupation.

Our Agency’s Mission

Lazika Images brings together a diverse group of photographers with a common resolve to expose the terrors of Russian occupation. The collective includes Svetlana Khutsishvili, David Khavtasi, Khatuna Lapachi, and Lana Bliadze.

For more information on Lazika Images and to see our work, you can visit our Instagram page @lazaikaimages.

Why We Need Your Help

Unfortunately, this exhibition cannot take place without funding from donors. With 1,200 dollars we will be able to accomplish the following:

• Rent a captivating exhibition space in the Artarea Gallery, a contemporary and elegant gallery that has hosted many accomplished artists.
• Print high-quality photographs with accompanying descriptions that illustrate the stories of our thought-provoking subjects.
• Hire a curator to select, coordinate, and label our assemblage of photographs.

The financial assistance that we are asking for will only be used to construct and host this exhibition.

Our hope is to hold this exhibition on August 8, the anniversary of Russia’s unprovoked war with Georgia. Any amount goes a long way toward helping us share the ongoing impacts of the war and occupation on people.

What You Can Expect to See at Our Exhibition

The exhibition—entitled “Border Guardians”—illuminates the importance of courage, resistance, and community in the face of repression. The attached photographs offer just a small taste of the stories we hope to share with you.

Valya Vanishvili struts up to the jagged barbed wire fence that Russian forces erected to prevent her other Georgian’s right to movement. Luda Salia protests Russian borderization at the doorstep of the nursing home she manages in Khurvateli.

The Change We Hope to Bring

Against the backdrop of the devastating war in Ukraine, it is vital that people understand the scope of Russia’s colonial violence. On one hand, our exhibition, Border Guardians, exposes the tragic impacts of occupation on people who have lost their families, jobs, and ancestral land. On the other hand, Border Guardians is also an optimistic call to action.

Through the winding halls of the Artarea Gallery, you will see the determined expressions of people, who despite having lost everything, continue to fight against their occupiers. Whether you donate just one dollar or more, each and every contribution counts towards making this historic exhibition a reality.