Liam Bailey - Tbilisi 1991_no 2
boy has image captured for tee shirt printing in 1991 - Tbilisi
Walking the Line: A Profound Reminder of Democracy’s Fragility Returning to Tbilisi after a 23-year absence, the city resonates with the echoes and smells of resilience, this work bookends the protests from 1991 to 2024. These images aim to portray a complex narrative of Tbilisi’s indomitable spirit—a city that, entrenched in its struggles, attempts to reframe hope and assert a strong national identity while ambitiously eyeing EU membership. This project captures not mere moments in time but a reflection of both the past and the current realities surrounding Rustaveli Avenue, juxtaposed against the imposing parliament building, which stands as a reminder of the persistent tensions with authorities influenced by the looming presence of Russia. Through this lens, I sought to encapsulate both the dignified quiet of protest and the everyday lives of the citizens of this remarkable nation. Despite taking 23 years to bring this project to fruition, the similarities and unchanging visual references documented reveal a deep-seated thread of defiance and a yearning for independence that is woven into the very fabric of the Georgian psyche, and a reminder to us all how much effort is made and required to keep democracy alive.
Part of the series " Walking the line" nominated for finalist status for Projects at the 2025 Association of photographers award.
Liam began his career as a science teacher before switching to the creative sector in his mid-twenties. He’s worked in TV and post-production at the BBC, spent 20 years as a commercial photographer, and co-founded the online photography platform photocrowd.com. With business-focused Master’s degrees under his belt and experience as a Non-Exec Director and advisor for creative businesses, Liam brings deep industry insight. Liam is also a regular panellist and moderator at conferences for the Digital Media Licensing Association (DMLA) in the US and CEPIC in Europe, and in 2024 published his second book, Glastonbury: The Festival and Its People.
Liam Bailey - Tbilisi 1991_no 2
boy has image captured for tee shirt printing in 1991 - Tbilisi
Walking the Line: A Profound Reminder of Democracy’s Fragility Returning to Tbilisi after a 23-year absence, the city resonates with the echoes and smells of resilience, this work bookends the protests from 1991 to 2024. These images aim to portray a complex narrative of Tbilisi’s indomitable spirit—a city that, entrenched in its struggles, attempts to reframe hope and assert a strong national identity while ambitiously eyeing EU membership. This project captures not mere moments in time but a reflection of both the past and the current realities surrounding Rustaveli Avenue, juxtaposed against the imposing parliament building, which stands as a reminder of the persistent tensions with authorities influenced by the looming presence of Russia. Through this lens, I sought to encapsulate both the dignified quiet of protest and the everyday lives of the citizens of this remarkable nation. Despite taking 23 years to bring this project to fruition, the similarities and unchanging visual references documented reveal a deep-seated thread of defiance and a yearning for independence that is woven into the very fabric of the Georgian psyche, and a reminder to us all how much effort is made and required to keep democracy alive.
Part of the series " Walking the line" nominated for finalist status for Projects at the 2025 Association of photographers award.
Liam began his career as a science teacher before switching to the creative sector in his mid-twenties. He’s worked in TV and post-production at the BBC, spent 20 years as a commercial photographer, and co-founded the online photography platform photocrowd.com. With business-focused Master’s degrees under his belt and experience as a Non-Exec Director and advisor for creative businesses, Liam brings deep industry insight. Liam is also a regular panellist and moderator at conferences for the Digital Media Licensing Association (DMLA) in the US and CEPIC in Europe, and in 2024 published his second book, Glastonbury: The Festival and Its People.