I explore themes of ancestry, collective memory, and national resilience through the symbolic power of teeth and the intimacy of a shared table. Inspired

by my family of three and the 3 million people who comprise the population of Georgia, this work transforms the familiar setting of a dining table and chairs into a monument for my ancestors — an invisible yet omnipresent army who fought for my country’s independence

Teeth, as resilient and enduring parts of the human body, become vessels of memory and strength. They symbolize not only survival but also the sacrifices made by generations before me. By covering the table and chairs with hundreds of ceramic teeth, I invoke the presence of my ancestors: each tooth becomes a silent witness, a small fragment of a larger history that continues to shape my identity. Sitting at this table is not an act of solitude; you are sur- rounded, supported, and held accountable by those who came before you.

This work reflects the current reality of Georgia, a country whose fight for independence has been marked by resilience and loss. For centuries, Georgia has resisted Russia’s at- tempts at colonization, maintaining its unique cultural identity despite repeated invasions, wars, and occupations. From the annexation of Georgia into the Russian Empire in the 19th century, to the Soviet occupation and, more recently, the 2008 war, Russia’s influence has consistently threatened Georgian sovereignty. Yet, Georgia’s people have fought back, holding tightly to their language, traditions, and sense of identity.