Born in 1976 in Tbilisi, David Machavariani studied at the Tbilisi State Academy of Arts. His field of interest was sculpture, ceramics, drawing, printmaking digital art, animation as well as stage and graphic design.
Since 1997, he has published comics and illustrations in various magazines and newspapers. In addition to illustrating books and articles, he serves as a stage and costume designer for experimental and State Theaters .
Best known for his graphic novel adaptation of The Knight in the Panther's Skin, where his unique style brings Rustaveli's epic to life in a way that is both visually captivating and deeply faithful to the spirit of the original.
Through intricate black-and-white illustrations, he merges poetic rime tune with Georgian spirit and modern graphic storytelling, allowing readers to experience the legendary tale in a fresh, accessible format.
Knight in the Panters Skin
222 page graphic novel book
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PRINTS
2014
June
Vine Factory Basment Exhibition
Brake Through Work
jewellery collection
by Zarapxana
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EXCLUSIVE PRINTS AND TAKES
David Matchavariani also extended his creative exploration of The Knight in the Panther's Skin into a jewelry collection designed for the Georgian brand Zarapxana. This collection translates the themes and aesthetics of Rustaveli’s epic into finely crafted jewelry, blending traditional Georgian motifs with contemporary elegance.
Jewelry collection for Zarapxana, inspired by The Knight in the Panther's Skin, was presented alongside a series of stunning photographs by Mari Nakani. Nakani's photography beautifully complements Matchavariani's designs, capturing the jewelry’s intricate details and poetic essence.
2011
June
Europian Hause Gallery Exhibition
Brake Through Work
Brake Through Work
Knight in the Panters Skin
classic poem edittion
Despite the monochrome medium, Matchavariani’s detailed crosshatching captures both the grandeur and intimate moments of the story. The absence of color draws attention to the fine lines and textures, emphasizing the characters' expressions, the intricate Georgian patterns, and the medieval settings. Through these powerful, classical-style illustrations, Matchavariani bridges Rustaveli's medieval world with a contemporary audience, preserving the poem’s cultural heritage while infusing it with a modern visual style.
Illustrations for an edition of the Georgian epic poem “The Knight in the Panther’s Skin” (Georgian: ვეფხისტყაოსანი), drawn by Georgian artist Datto Machavariani and published by Bakur Sulakauri Publishing House in 2011.
