Line, color and shape are of great importance in architecture. Therefore, at the Faculty of Architecture, since its establishment, three branches of fine arts have been taught: drawing, painting and sculpture. The saying of the great thinker Danny Diderot: "Don't trust an architect who can't draw." Architects know this well.
Drawing and painting – as compulsory subjects, in two years (three semesters) of architectural education, and optional subjects: graphics and sculpture cover one semester of the second year.
Since 1991, the Department of Fine Arts N106 was established, and then the direction and department N604 was formed, the head of which was the artist, professor, emeritus: Robert Chocheli.
From 2015 to 2021, the department was headed by artist, professor: Maia Sekhniashvili.
The purpose of the fine arts course is to develop the student's artistic thinking. To obtain these basic fine competencies, it is necessary to pass the practical course provided by the program, which is a prerequisite for the formation of a future architect as a professional. Development of professional habits, development of plasticity of line, color, composition, proportion, scale and artistic-creative thinking. Different materials are used in the work process: pencils, pen and ink, charcoal, pastels, brushes, watercolor, gouache, plasticine, plaster, etc. The main focus is on making architectural sketches, for which students were given practical lessons by going out in the open air. To a certain extent, it forms the ability to quickly analyze what is seen and transfer it to the sheet (plane).
Drawing is a discipline with the help of which students learn to depict volumetric objects in space on a plane using a pencil or other drawing tools. Drawing skills develop visual perception and spatial thinking in future architects. Finally, the student should be able to convey an idea through a sketch and solve various practical and artistic tasks. With a good academic knowledge of drawing, a student can easily control his hand, draw a sketch, correctly analyze space, perspective, interior, exterior. The culture of sketching helps to think quickly in space, to arrange spot and line effects correctly. For this, it is advisable to work with mixed equipment.
The painting training course provides for mastering the basics of painting techniques with watercolor paints and developing the necessary skills for this. In this way, the student will be able to correctly perceive the volume of the objects in the space by means of color, conveying their texture by observing the color and tonality. Pictorial solution and development of artistic vision. By using color, the student manages to connect the model with the environment, gives emotionality. Interior, exterior, facades become pleasant with color harmony. By taking the painting training course, the student will be able to correctly perceive the volume of the objects in the space by means of color and tonality. The subject envisages mastering the basics of painting techniques with watercolor (water) paints and developing the skills necessary for this, which will allow the student to work creatively on sketches and projects with mixed techniques. Watercolor painting is a basic technique for architects, as their special compositions are mainly completed in this material.
Sculpture, as a plastic-representative branch of fine art, helps to develop the student's spatial thinking and to develop the ability to create three-dimensional forms using hard or plastic materials - metal, stone, clay, wood, plaster. Form culture allows the student to see the model in space on a scale that expresses the reality of the object. After mastering the sculpture course, the student will be able to correctly perceive the volume of objects in space through the form. Sculpt forms with his own hands and visually show us the architectural forms in the volume. Students work in different materials (plasticine, clay, plaster)
After mastering drawing, painting and sculpture training courses, the student will be able to correctly perceive the volume, scale, texture and color of objects in space by means of line, shape and color, and will be able to transfer ideas to paper. The student should master the culture of sketching, understand the architectural idea artistically and creatively approach the implementation of the project.
Famous artists worked at the department of fine arts at different times; Henrikh Hrinevski, Shalva Mamaladze, Giorgi Sesiashvili, honored artists of Georgia: Irakli Ochiauri, Otar Sekhniashvili, Levan Tsutskiridze, Tengiz Japaridze, Givi Kandareli, Kimi Tabatadze, Demna Bakradze, artists: Robinson Chocheli, Alexander Nazarishvili, Leila Chokheli, Leila Rodkevich, Murman Mikaberidze, Dimitri Tsutskiridze, Leila Shelia, Nino Tsitsishvili, Buba Ochiauri, Mamuka Chkoidze, Giorgi Chachanidze, Nika Gabunia, Maya Maglakelidze, Mzia Chofikashvili, Koba Kuntelia, Revaz Khasia, Maia Nanobashvili, Lali Kutateladze and others.
The following artists are still working in the direction: Professor Maia Sekhniashvili, Associate Professor Maka Zhghenti, Associate Professor Ketevan Gagoshidze, Associate Professor Davit Tabatadze, Assistant Professor Bidzina Kavtaradze, Associate Professor Associate professors: Maka Gotsiridze, Lali Toidze, Eka Tsindelani, Gia Amiranashvili, teachers: Rusudan Bulia, Giorgi Tsintsadze, Lika Kervalishvili.
Addressed professor teachers, many times, over the years, have had successful personal or group exhibitions, both in Georgia and around the world. Their works are kept in various museums and private collections. (See Union of Artists catalogs).
Exhibitions of personal and group drawings, sketches, paintings and sculptures of students are also systematically organized.
Each of them played an important role in the important honorable work of forming and developing the artistic-aesthetic thinking of the entire generations of future architects.