Beings between myth and dream
- Shota is a self-taught mask maker who is inspired by ancient mythology
- His masks carry rebellion, justice and spirit
- He aims to revive craft culture across Georgia
Shota Tkhilishvili, known under his artistic name Menighbe, gives forgotten souls a face in his Mtskheta mask workshop. Using only his hands and a fragment of an old blade, he sculpts wood and clay into beings that live between myth and dream. "Each mask is an invocation that is studied, embodied and released," Shota says. In his studio, he mentors artisans, curates events and works toward a cultural revival in Georgia. "Craft is not just skill. It is a way to restore what modern life forgets," Shota explains. His masks visualise characters from his novels, and he brings mythological codes and unique personas to life in his films, scripts and stories. Shota shares his unique techniques through therapeutic art masterclasses. He has showcased his works in numerous personal, group and international exhibitions.
Interview
- What moment transformed your creative path?
- Every artist dreams of a summit. Mine began in isolation, during the pandemic, when silence became my teacher. This is when Lazare was born, a mask of death and rebirth. It marked the return of both my art and myself, a gift earned through loss.
- How do you choose the characters you create?
- Each mask begins as a dialogue with my own state of being. I study myths and archetypes like a researcher, but the real connection is emotional. When a certain story resonates, I become its vessel. I do not just sculpt it, I live it until it finds its shape.
- How do you balance tradition and modernity?
- Tradition must not die, it must evolve. What was once sacred in ritual can now live through art, design and film. I transform old forms so they stay powerful, yet accessible. My masks carry rebellion, justice and spirit through the language of our times.
- What message do you share with your students?
- Culture shapes a nation’s identity, and creativity can raise generations with strength and vision. I tell my students to never create for applause. Our motivation must come from within, from that quiet voice that reminds us of we are and why we began our journey in craft.
Shota Tkhilishvili is a rising star: he began his career in 2019 and he started teaching in 2023
Works
Where
Shota Tkhilishvili
