Works of Rusudan Kevanishvili (born in 1957) is an outstanding example of Georgian Contemporary Art almost unknown in Russian public.

Pictures of Rusudan Kenanishvilia, also known as Dusuna, are marked by rich figurative language, picturesqueness and outstanding temperament. The basis of the artist's handwriting is the harmonious combination of professionalism and free interpretation of the motives of folk art and artistic currents of the 1920's. These are sources of subjects, images and some compositional elements. Together with the individual artistic achievements, amazingly sincere perception of reality and special author's technique, these features allow us to estimate Rusudan Kenanishvili as a bright creative figure.

Works of Rusudan Kevanishvili (born in 1957) is an outstanding example of Georgian Contemporary Art almost unknown in Russian public.

Pictures of Rusudan Kenanishvilia, also known as Dusuna, are marked by rich figurative language, picturesqueness and outstanding temperament. The basis of the artist's handwriting is the harmonious combination of professionalism and free interpretation of the motives of folk art and artistic currents of the 1920's. These are sources of subjects, images and some compositional elements. Together with the individual artistic achievements, amazingly sincere perception of reality and special author's technique, these features allow us to estimate Rusudan Kenanishvili as a bright creative figure.

The fact of the matter is that the style of Dusuna originates from the Primitivism art movement. In Georgia it received strong expression in the works of Nico Pirosmani (1862-1918). However, the closest artist to Dusuna is Georgian classic painter Lado Gudiashvili (1896-1980), whose work combines the tradition of primitivism, postmodernism and Georgian medieval art. Dusuna’s style definition surprisingly corresponds to the title of the famous book of Gudiashvili– "The Mystery of Beauty".

Rich figurative language, the intersection of different artistic traditions become in the work of Dusuna tools of expression of an extraordinary personality, which is based on love for homeland and the world at large, in which the human being holds a special place. Joyful world-view, variety of colors, dynamism of compositions, bright pictorial language - all together it gives Dusuna`s art the special aesthetic value. Her artistic talent finds equal expression in almost all the major pictorial genres: landscapes, still lifes, portraits and genre painting. Single part of her work consists in icon painting. Landscapes of Dusuna among which are the "Winter Landscape", "Pines on the Shore", "Autumn. Trees "," Mindatsihe (Castle of the XII-th Century)" sing the primordial beauty of Georgia and the province of Racha where the artist lives and works. Portrait images of Dusuna are notable for special power of penetration into the inner world of the model: "Negress," "Gypsy," "Self Portrait". No less interesting are genre scenes, presented in the exhibition by such works as "Harmonist", "Girl in the Shower," "Girl with a Mobile Phone." Important border of work of Dusuna is also the animal painting imagery ("Tiger", "Parrots"), in which the line of "art brut" finds a clear manifestation.

In tote Dusuna’s soul – is the soul of a tender romantic. Soaring figures (like Marc Chagall's enchanting images) are represented in her pictures. Individual characters, particularly of the title work that became a symbol of exhibition in Moscow - "The Girl with Apples" – are as if descended from the pages of stories and novels of the eminent Georgian writer Nodar Dumbadze. They are so impressive and ingenuous. Pictures of Dusuna are emotionally rich and warm: as sweet Georgian sun, mountain valleys and traditional long feasts with songs and flowery toasts.

Dusuna’s works are created in the best traditions of the Georgian national school. Besides originality and particularity of author’s style they give evidence of academic tradition. Rusudan Kenanishvili received artistic professional skills during her study at the Tbilisi State Art College. She was a very good talented pupil but after graduated she became asthmatic and should interrupt her work with oil painting. Some years ago she found the mean to replace traditional oil technique to express her artistic personality with aid of simple knitting threads.

A unique feature of works by Rusudan Kenanishvili is that they are created in a fairly rare technique sticking to the base of wool knitting threads, the so-called "lane screen" (in analogue with «silkscreen»). While the strength of artistic effects is comparable to the paintings, executed in traditional painting techniques. Application of this unique author's technique leads to a visual combination of a pictorial format and tapestries. Her art works are on the brink of fine and decorative arts. Going beyond the Georgian art in the analysis of works of art of Rusudan Kenanishvili may be noted that the strength of artistic expression, identity is quite comparable with the works of Brazilian artist Juarez Machado (born 1941), acquiring today the increasing popularity in Russia and Europe.

The real discover for Russia of the work of Dusuna (already known not only in valley of Racha where she lives but also in Tbilisi) was made possible with the help of the World Wide Fund for Nature. Such a rare example of artist’s protector in person of organization that works in the area of protection of nature and natural heritage proves that the real art doesn’t have frontiers. Some years ago during her business trip Ekaterina Pal, WWF Russia Development Director saw pictures of Dusuna in one of Tbilisi art galleries. That was like a lighting stroke. She bought the first picture of Dusuna – «Geisha» and ported it to Moscow. That was the very beginning of real love story between artist and collector. During one of her next trips in Georgia Ekaterina went to Racha valley especially to meet the artist. Then she did her best to make the Dusuna`s work known in Moscow. The fruits of this friendship and work is the personal exhibition of Dusuna in Moscow that we inaugurate this April. Important part of this event is the charity auction in profit of the special program of protection of Caucasia of WWF and the artist.

On the eve of the opening of Rusudan Kenanishvili`s or Dusuna`s exhibition, in Moscow restaurant for intellectuals and artistic bohemia "August ", it should be noted that recently the Georgian art has been becoming more and more appreciated in the professional art market. Thus, the cost of graphics of Lado Gudiashvili during the past five years increased 17 (!) times in the world's leading auction houses. Other masters of the Georgian school are also presented at the international auctions: the school`s founder Nico Pirosmanishvili and also much younger representatives - for example, the artist Kuchava Moorman (b. 1962). In this light, it’s possible that the acquisition of one of works of Dusuna, dear to the heart and pleasing to the eye, eventually can become a profitable investment.

In conclusion we can say that realizing of such artistic exhibition and auctions of artists from neighboring to Russia countries is promising. Of course it enriches artistic connections between countries and cultural life of the capital of Russia.