Thengis Rioni was born in the Georgian village of Rioni in 1967. 'Rioni' is also the name of a major river, which flows through his native village on its way to the Black Sea. Thengis Rioni's pseudonym was inspired by both - the village and the river.

Rioni's painting consists in a modern realism that incorporates abstract elements and twodimensional shapes. His preferred themes are portraits of women, children, and families. The majority of his paintings stem directly from his life - enriched through philosophical and psychological aspects.

Thengis Rioni has lived and worked in Berlin for over ten years. The Galerie Friedmann- Hahn has been representing him for several years. His paintings have been exhibited in numerous cities throughout Europe: most recently in the exhibition space of the New Synagogue in Berlin.

His paintings' most beautiful passages of colour are achieved through a mixture of red, white, and blue tones -- in addition to the black that is typical of his work. These passages of colour are incredibly nuanced; at times, the brushstrokes seem to vanish into thin air. 'Anna and Maria' is a good example of Thengis Rioni's style. The subject is actually quite simple: two girls playing with one another. At the same time, the characterisation and the use of colour possess such a masterly power that we can scarcely take our eyes off the canvas.