Nino Jimsheleishvili
Nino Jimsheleishvili is a Georgian artist based in Tbilisi, originally from Kutaisi. She is currently studying Book Design and Illustration at the Tbilisi State Academy of Arts.
From the age of five, Nino dreamed of becoming a ballerina, she dedicated seven years of her life to it. Although she eventually decided to step away from the world of ballet, her deep connection to art never faded. It was through drawing that her creative journey truly began.
During her school years, Nino discovered a strong desire to become a creative director. She took her first steps in that direction by studying graphic design—even though she had no formal background in drawing. What she did have was unwavering confidence in her ability to learn and grow. That belief, rooted in her commitment to hard work and perseverance, became the foundation for her artistic path.
As she immersed herself more deeply in the art world, Nino realized that art was not just a passion it was a core part of her identity. Life without creative expression felt unimaginable. She never expected to find herself working in book illustration and painting, but these fields rich in complexity and demanding a mastery of various techniques have become deeply fulfilling for her.
Statement
I work across painting, drawing, digital media, and craft not to master a single form, but to let each idea find its own voice. My subjects vary: sometimes birds, sometimes people, sometimes everyday objects. But they are never just what they appear to be. They act as symbols carriers of memory, emotion, and my quiet search for place, growth, and meaning in the world. I don’t plan much before I begin. A blank canvas or sketchbook offers me a kind of meditative silence where thought disappears and instinct takes over. In that stillness, I make decisions without words and through that process, I come to understand myself more deeply.
My inspiration? Anything. Everything. Often it starts with a sharp feeling, a moment of pain, or a sudden intuitive pull that asks to be turned into image. The process isn’t always logical, but it’s always honest. What I hope is not for viewers to “understand” my work, but to experience something personal to feel something in response. Whether it’s joy, discomfort, recognition, or even disagreement. I believe every emotional reaction is meaningful. Even rejection can reveal something valuable about who we are. My work isn’t about providing answers. It’s about coexistence about claiming space as an individual in a shared world. My recent series, "Birds with Broken Wings, and the Man Grounded by Dreams," came to me one night between sleep and wakefulness. A phrase appeared in my mind clear and loud. I spoke it out loud, and from that moment, the idea insisted on becoming real. The birds in this series cannot fly. They mirror the human condition. They resemble people all of us dreaming of flight, yet forgetting we already have wings. Some birds lost their ability to fly because they no longer had predators. We, too, can become comfortable, stagnant, forgetful of our own potential. Some birds, like some people, have forgotten their strength simply because they were never forced to use it. Evolution made them comfortable. In much the same way, the challenges we face the predators in our lives shape who we become. Our struggles shape us. Our dreams define us. And for each of us, “flying” means something different. For some, it’s invention; for others, it’s simply warmth and safety. This series is a quiet tribute to those who feel stuck, yet still carry the dream to rise. It’s about forgotten strength, and the quiet power of the human mind. All of these works began as sketches, and through the process, through many attempts, I gradually discovered myself.
