Sky Vine is Mariana Chkonia’s second solo exhibition at E.A. Shared Space.

The exhibition comprises of new body of work, conceived for the occasion. Alongside to wool, as her primary material, Chkonia introduces new materials for her textile pieces, such as silk and Organza. 

There is a certain relationship between Chkonia’s current and earlier works, which lies on her interest in wool. However, on contrary to her felt series, Sky Vine intorduces wool in its transparency and lightness, contrary to her felt series, where the same material gained heaviness and almost sculptural elements. Probably architectural thinking and monumentality, alongside to loyalty to wool, are the main aspects Chkonia has been repeating over throughout her oeuvre. 

Still very much present in Sky Vine, monumentality is being deprived of any pretense on dominance. Rather, the works leave more space to breathe and comprehend for the viewer leaving them with the feeling of equity. As if submerging with the walls and windows of the actual space, the works remind us more of a mural, where influences from the wall-painting of Byzantine, as well, as some of the early Italian Renaissance are present. Light and shimmering, almost transparent, off-white, sky blue, violet, light rose, lemon and mint colors occupy the space imbuing the air in-between. These colors heal. Healing, as wool’s ancient role, often played out by many artists, happens here through the color, material and the light reaching out through it.

It is not by chance, that the exhibition derives its title from Sky Vine - the flower overlooking the artist’s studio garden. Not by accident Chkonia is translating her gardening experience into the show, where the vegetation blooms during springtime, creating a harmonic dynamic inside the garden.

Site-specificity is another aspect in Chkonia’s latest work introduced at Sky Vine. Most of the works have been produced in situ in direct response to the actual space. Architectural training as a young adult, has definitely fed the artists’ current series and presentation. Almost architectonically they create harmony and a perfect balance between the architecture, work and space in-between. 

Sky Vine opens on Sunday, May 18th and runs through Sunday, June 22d, 2025.

The gallery working hours remain: Thursday – Sunday, 12:00 – 19:00.