Tam OOnz

One of my favorite things to do is get lost in any city and find street art somewhere off the beaten path. While wandering through Tbilisi, I realized that I was particularly drawn to the works of TAm OOnz. I had no idea who she was, but I sensed that the artist was a woman.

After getting back home, I kept going through my photos, looked up Tam’s name, and found her Facebook page. I sent her a message, and she responded. Coming up with questions for someone like TAm, who simply exudes power and creativity, was not easy. I deeply appreciate her punctuality and the time she put into answering my questions so poignantly and expressively.

When did people start painting murals in Tbilisi? And who were the first artists?

TAm OOnz: You mean graffiti? The first person who did stencils in the streets of Tbilisi was MIRO. That was in the ’90s, and he was creating famous and funny Soviet cartoon stencils, among other things. I remember them from my childhood. After that, everything else really began in the early 2010s, and I was among the very first people who started doing graffiti and murals. My friends and I were running through the streets at night or during the day, painting graffiti with spray paint and wheatpasting our ideas. Artists like Dr. Love, Lamb, Chil, Miro, and others.

Mural making is like a performance. You are in a public space and you might get a lot of attention. Does this distract you when you’re working?

TAm OOnz: Yes, painting outside is very much like a performance. Everyone can see the process from beginning to end. For ordinary people, it is fascinating to watch the magical process of creating an artwork. It becomes even more curious when the graffiti artist is a woman. People usually stop and ask questions. Sometimes it gets annoying to communicate with everyone who stops, but I understand them and try to be kind and talk to them. I use headphones as a trick, and that often helps.

You scale up your female characters and their hair to monumental proportions and are known for it. Tell me about the significance of hair in your work. What does it symbolize for you?

TAm OOnz: I believe in energetic and spiritual connections between human beings and the universe, and I believe that long hair is one of the powerful tools of the human body, especially for women. Since childhood, I wore my long, curly hair down and was very proud of it. It looked healthy and gave me a lot of confidence. But during a negative period in my life, my hair became weak and started falling out. I decided to cut it off, as hair tends to carry a lot of information. I wanted to disconnect from that negativity and cleanse my energy.

Because I give hair so much meaning, I love painting it. Drawing hair is a very meditative process for me. All the characters I draw are mentally and physically strong, which is why they have such a large volume of hair.

You feature a lot of feminine power in your paintings and murals. Are you exploring feminine power or sexual power?

TAm OOnz: I am not thinking about feminine or sexual power while I am drawing. In that creative moment, it is just me, the artist, without any gender. I am not trying to prove anything. I am simply enjoying my freedom to paint whatever I want at that moment.

What do you see as your biggest obstacle, or your peers’ biggest obstacle, as muralists in Tbilisi?

TAm OOnz: Street art is still new in Georgia, and we are still in the process of establishing ourselves in this field. There are fewer artists interested in street art and murals these days. Painting murals is not easy, and it is physically very demanding. But we are trying, so let’s see.

Do you have a routine that gets you into the flow for painting?

TAm OOnz: I don’t have any special routine. I am always ready and inspired to create, even when there are a lot of people around me. I just need to focus on what I am doing, so I don’t require any special environment.

The only transformation I experience is internal. Something changes in me, and I become a different person. My drawing style changes significantly when I change locations, which is why I love to travel. Not as a tourist passing through quickly, but by living in a place and experiencing it as a local. New surroundings, smells, and people help me discover something new in myself as an artist.

The only routine I have is drawing fast. I never spend more than two days on the same drawing or mural.

The role of women in art. What is your take on this?

TAm OOnz: The role of women in art is very important. We have a unique vision that deserves to be shared more widely. In past centuries, art created by women was largely ignored or hidden. We see very few female artists represented from different movements and periods in museums around the world. Today, however, we encounter strong female artists in every artistic field, from sculpture to ceramics to fine arts. It also makes me happy to see more women involved in street art.

Graffiti can express ideas, develop large-scale painting skills, mark space, and act as protest. Why do you do what you do?

TAm OOnz: The question itself is the answer. I would just add that I love painting on walls. It is my way of expressing myself and showing my identity and power. I feel proud when I paint large walls. It is my way of proving that women can do anything and everything, that we are free to live and create without stereotypes.

Do you think graffiti artists will be written out of art history?

TAm OOnz: Graffiti artists have already created a significant chapter in art history, and it is still being written. The art form is growing. It is relatively new, but we already have major figures like Banksy, Shepard Fairey, and many others. Graffiti and street art are modern art forms, just as the Renaissance or Impressionism once were. This culture surrounds us every day. Every city has graffiti. Artists working in this field cannot and will not be ignored. And if someone tries to erase us, we will write it again and again on their walls.

How do you identify yourself?

TAm OOnz: I identify more as an illustrator and street artist. I am not focused on just one area and am always curious to explore different artistic directions.

In a world so clearly divided into male and female, how do you feel about being the most prominent and recognized female muralist in Tbilisi?

TAm OOnz: I have never felt discriminated against for being a woman muralist or street artist. Wherever I go, I am met with positive energy and respect, especially in Georgia.

Do you have a favorite childhood memory of Tbilisi?

TAm OOnz: I have many good memories of Tbilisi. I grew up here and have many friends in the city. My fondest memory is discovering Miro’s works as a child. It felt new and fresh in a city that was otherwise full of negativity and grayness.

What would you like to change in Tbilisi?

TAm OOnz: There are many things I would like to change. First, I would add more parks and trees. I want to see fewer high-rise buildings and more green spaces. I want a better living environment, one that helps people feel calmer and more in harmony with themselves. Right now, everything feels chaotic, and I don’t like that.