A foreign guest caused damage to a painting by a Georgian artist at Tbilisi’s Stamba Hotel. The incident, involving an artist named Lola Beebs, occurred in December 2025 and was recently highlighted on Georgian social media. Photos and video posted by Beebs on Instagram showed her repainting a work displayed in a hotel bedroom.
The painting, created in 1995 by Lia Shvelidze, depicted the war in Abkhazia and featured the text “Patriots Are at War” in red Georgian letters. Shvelidze described the act as a “crime and an act of vandalism.” She stated that an investigation has begun, though she no longer owns the artwork. Beebs justified her actions as “dialogue with Georgian art,” explaining that she began working on the painting “intuitively,” initially unaware of its meaning.
She claimed her intention was to “gently shift” the memory, transforming it into something more “human and connected,” incorporating elements inspired by Merab Abramishvili. The guest, identifying herself as a “Kazakh artist of Chechen roots,” asserted she was “taking all responsibility” and was in communication with the hotel. Multimedia artist Gvantsa Jishkariani shared screenshots of correspondence, detailing Beebs’ claims.
The Adjara Group, the hotel’s owner, and the Interior Ministry have not yet responded to inquiries. The damaged painting remains a subject of discussion, highlighting a complex interaction between art, memory, and cultural interpretation. This guest’s actions involved a significant alteration to the original painting, a piece deeply connected to Georgian history.
Topics: #guest #painting #georgian
