Among the many highlights of the record-setting Impressions Expo in Long Beach, California, this past January was the Ink Kitchen’s presentation of the 2025 Impressions Lifetime Achievement Award to Russian graphic artist and musician Artem Nadirashvili.
Present for the award ceremony were (from left) last year’s winner, Dave Gardner, director of creative embellishment at Gildan; Squeegeeville founder Andy MacDougall; the Ink Kitchen’s Rick Roth; and past award winner Mike Beckman. Photo courtesy of Impressions Expo
An internationally recognized designer with 40-plus years of experience specializing in high-quality screen printing for advertising, posters, and a wide range of industrial and decorative applications in addition to textile printing and T-shirts, Nadirashvili has long been renowned for his creativity and technical expertise.
Nadirashvili joins previous award winners screen-printing pioneer Dave Gardner, director of creative embellishment at Gildan; Andy Anderson of Anderson Studios in Nashville, Tennessee; and screen-printing innovator Mike Beckman, now with M&R, in this the fourth year of the awards.
In addition to being the president and CEO of Midi Print, a company known for, among other things, its music and life-themed prints, Nadirashvili is the founder and president of the Russian Screenprinting Association and a member of the Academy of Screen and Digital Print Technologies (ASDPT).
A man of many talents, Nadirashvili is also the leader of a contemporary jazz band that has played around the world, including in many music festivals in the former USSR and Eastern Europe.
“This award isn’t just a reflection of my work. It’s a testament to the fantastic people who have been part of my journey in the T-shirt world, to people who not only shaped my career but also the person I am today…your belief in me gave me the confidence to aim high,” Nadirashvili said via video, being unable to make the trip to Long Beach from his native Russia.
“I may not be there in person, but I am there in spirit celebrating the incredible work we all do,” Nadirashvili added. “To the entire print and design community, thank you for inspiring me every day.”
For a video of the entire presentation ceremony, which includes a number of examples of Nadirashvili’s work, see below:
