DAVID APAKIDZE

In his work, Apakidze combines artistic expression with political activism, placing queer perspectives at the forefront. At a time when the rights of queer people in Georgia are under severe threat, Apakidze is an important voice in the region.

At KVOST, the artist presents his new installation The Knight at the Crossroads. At the heart of the narrative is a queer migrant portrayed as a modern knight. In traditional tales, the crossroads is a place where a hero must choose between different paths. The exhibition draws on this motif but places the moment of decision in a contemporary, dystopian context where the outcome remains uncertain. Unlike the traditional hero who returns victorious, this knight is caught in a state of constant movement and uprootedness. His vulnerable armour is symbolised by a motorcycle helmet with a visor made of traditional stained glass.

The work reflects the experiences of many queer individuals who are forced to leave their countries in search of safety due to rising homophobia and political violence.

David Apakidze was born in Poti and lives in Tbilisi, Georgia. He is a visual artist, curator, and co-founder of the Fungus Project – one of the first queer art platforms in the Caucasus. Apakidze studied art history at the State Academy of Arts in Tbilisi, with a particular focus on medieval Orthodox art, which has had a lasting influence on his artistic perspective. His work has been shown, among others, in 2024 at Galeria Zachęta, Warsaw (PL), and at Art House Gorgi (GEO); in 2023 at the National Gallery, Tbilisi (GEO), and at the Open Out Festival, Tromsø (NOR). In 2025, Apakidze completed an artist residency at MeetFactory in Prague (CZE).