Monarch Butterfly: Tamar Maghlaperidze-Dadeshkeliani Explores Surrealism and Symbolism

A woman wearing a zebra mask stands alongside a rabbit dressed in a suit. The scene feels theatrical, almost absurd, yet its meaning remains deliberately elusive. It is one of the striking images in Monarch Butterfly, a solo exhibition by Georgian artist Tamar Maghlaperidze-Dadeshkeliani, whose latest series explores the relationship between perception, imagination and the symbolism hidden within familiar forms.

Presented at Corridor, the exhibition brings together 13 works that introduce viewers to the artist’s colorful, psychedelic universe. Human figures, animals and everyday objects appear in unexpected combinations, challenging conventional interpretations and inviting the audience to look beyond what is immediately visible.

The series took considerable time to develop. Before beginning the paintings, Maghlaperidze-Dadeshkeliani wanted to explore the subject through her own perspective and find a visual language that would express her individual artistic identity.

“The monarch butterfly is a symbol of mind control,” the artist explains, offering a glimpse into the ideas behind the exhibition.

Throughout the series, surrealist imagery becomes a way of examining the boundaries between the visible and the invisible. The figures seem to inhabit a world governed by its own logic, with familiar objects assuming unfamiliar roles. In the painting featuring the zebra-masked woman and the formally dressed rabbit, the reversal of human and animal identities introduces questions about appearances, behavior and the roles we assume.

Rather than providing a fixed interpretation, Maghlaperidze-Dadeshkeliani leaves room for individual associations. The paintings encourage viewers to construct their own narratives, making ambiguity an essential part of the experience.

The artist's practice extends beyond traditional painting. Her work encompasses tapestry weaving, video art and painting with wine, reflecting an interest in experimenting with materials and artistic techniques. Her works have been exhibited in Georgia and internationally.

Monarch Butterfly is hosted by Corridor, an art and educational space established as a collaborative project between Sofo Kolkhidashvili and the Niko Street Art Festival. The initiative supports emerging artists by providing opportunities to develop their creative practices and introduce their work to wider audiences.

For Maghlaperidze-Dadeshkeliani, the exhibition is an invitation to question the familiar. Its strange characters and symbolic compositions offer no single answer, allowing each viewer to discover a different story within the same image.