In early September 1991, I found myself in Tbilisi, the vibrant capital of Georgia, just months after the country declared its independence from the Soviet Union. My trip was sparked by a unique opportunity: my first overseas assignment for the Guardian newspaper, covering the inaugural International Juggling Convention. Living with a local family, I quickly learned that customs around drinking were quite different—so I started each day armed with ice-cold vodka and stone-solid cheese bread, a local delicacy.
As one of the few foreign journalists in the city at the time, I captured black-and-white images of everyday Tbilisi residents—some simply living their lives, others protesting against the new government. The political tension escalated rapidly, and before long, a state of emergency was declared. After an unplanned second week amid the unrest, I finally managed to leave Tbilisi, sharing the flight out with sheep and melons—an unforgettable conclusion to that chapter.
Fast forward to 2024, I revisited this work. I returned to the city, engaging with it from a new perspective, only to find that similar issues around governance and interference persisted—except now, a new generation of Georgian protesters was pushing back, fighting for their political independence. This work now blends the old and new, with vibrant color from recent projects, capturing a city still navigating its complex journey.
This work has been announced as a finalist in the 40th Association of Photographers Awards: finalist – Projects (2025)
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