"The king Irakli on a throne" 1984

Sergei Parajanov assembled “The King Irakli on a Throne” using mixed media in a wooden box. Parajanov, an Armenian-Soviet filmmaker, faced censorship and imprisonment due to his sexuality and artistic expression. This piece can be read as an act of cultural reclamation and a commentary on power. Irakli II, King of Georgia, becomes a figure through which Parajanov explores themes of national identity and resilience. Using found objects and collage, he creates a unique visual language. The materials, rich in texture and history, mirror the complexities of Irakli's reign and the broader history of Georgia. The work also speaks to Parajanov's own struggles under Soviet rule, where cultural identity was often suppressed. The theatrical presentation of the king, framed within the confines of the box, invites contemplation on the nature of authority and the artist's role in preserving cultural memory.