Tbilisi, Georgia — April 27, 2026 — On April 27, a major cultural milestone will unfold at Hessink’s Tbilisi Auction House, where contemporary Georgian art will be presented at auction for the first time. Held at the Tbilisi Museum of Modern Art, the event will be accessible both locally and globally, positioning Georgia on the international art market with unprecedented visibility.
Through its first international auction, Georgia aims to connect its artistic heritage with collectors and institutions worldwide. The auction will be streamed live via www.hessink.com and a network of leading international auction platforms and digital channels including Drouot and Invaluable, enabling real-time participation from international buyers.
The event will take place at the Museum of Modern Art Tbilisi, one of the capital’s most prominent cultural venues.
A Defining Cultural Milestone
The auction, titled “Georgian Modern and Contemporary Art,” presents a carefully curated selection of works spanning the 20th and 21st centuries, developed in collaboration with Ms. Thea Goguadze-Apfel. Bringing together established masters alongside a new generation of artists, the sale reflects the evolution of Georgian artistic expression—from late Soviet modernism to contemporary experimentation.
The collection includes approximately 90 works across diverse media, encompassing both abstract and figurative practices. Together, they offer a compelling narrative of Georgia’s unique visual language, shaped by its complex history and rich cultural identity.
A Global Platform from Tbilisi
This auction represents more than a single event—it marks the emergence of Tbilisi as a regional hub for international art transactions. Through the strategic collaboration with the Netherlands-based Hessink’s Auction House, the initiative introduces global standards of auction practice, transparency, and accessibility to the Georgian market.
By combining a live auction setting with advanced digital broadcasting, the sale ensures worldwide visibility, competitive bidding, and direct access for international collectors—positioning Georgian art within the broader global discourse from its homeland.
This inaugural event also marks the beginning of an ongoing program of international auctions and expanded activities across multiple art and collectible categories, as the company establishes its long-term presence in Tbilisi.
Exhibition and Event Program
A pre-auction exhibition will be open to the public from April 20 to April 26 (10:00–18:00), offering visitors the opportunity to experience the collection in advance.
Auction Day — April 27, 2026
- Reception: 18:00
- Auction: 19:00
- Formal Dinner: 21:00
Official Partners
The auction is proudly supported by its official partners: Bank of Georgia Wealth Management, whose distinguished clientele will be offered privileged access to participate in this landmark event—marking an important step in the development of art investment culture in Georgia—and Aldagi, the official insurance partner, which has provided comprehensive coverage for the collection in accordance with international fine art standards.
An Invitation to the International Art Community
Collectors, institutions, curators, and art professionals are invited to participate in this historic event—either in person in Tbilisi or online from anywhere in the world. This auction offers a rare opportunity to acquire significant works from a rapidly emerging art market and to engage with Georgia’s cultural narrative at a defining moment in its development.
