Teona Gorgiashvili

MEET THE MAKER

I am Teona Gorgiashvili – Ceramist. My art works, created in my studio, called “Teio Ceramics”- are various, most of them are either sculptural or functional. Mostly inspiration comes from nature, trees, flowers, also my collections are impacted by travels in different countries – especially that ones, which have bright, vibrant colors and memorable style, it gives me insights, self-awareness to express myself as a ceramist. I attended ceramic workshops in Vietnam – at ceramic village Bat Trang in 2019 and in 2020 I visited ceramic studios in Morocco, Fes – and learnt their traditional technology of processing the clay and firing, in Marrakech I attended masterclass of traditional technique of Moroccan panting, all these accomplishments are used in my artworks. I use different types of clay and it gives the most interesting texture on an object’ surface during firing.  I want to mention my favorite creation – Japanese style tea set collection, which is one of the most popular and bestseller product of my studio. The significant sculptural yoga line – inspired by yoga and meditation – deserves attention as well, these sculptures express inner peace, balance in shape of asana and movements.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO TAKE PART IN iATELIER PROGRAMME?

Basically, technology helps broaden the horizons of an artist’s creativity, while also limit the problems that we might encounter. This program has opened up so many opportunities for artists and has expanded the number of techniques – artists are able to access. The reason why I decided to participate in iAtelier program, was interest of collaboration of crafts and technology. I am always curious to learn something new, to keep always up to date in order to develop my artisan business and this program was a great opportunity.

WHAT ARE YOUR FEEDBACKS?

Working on my two projects at Fab Lab Iliauni, was a great opportunity to integrate new digital fabrication technologies into craft practice. Now I feel more confident using digital technologies and produce various products in combination with ceramic and wood, steel and etc.

With the help and involvement of the manager of Fab Lab Iliauni –Avtandil Mgebrishvili, with his hard work on digitalization of all my hand painted sketches – I revived the old Georgian tradition of using wooden ornamented baking stamps – Bikilas (my first project) and created them with modern elements. Working on my second winner project – Mini Lkhini – (Mini Feast), was a big experience for me as well, I created portable table with removable parts, all its wooden details were cut on CNC router and was assembled manually, ceramic details were handmade and hand-painted.

iAtelier program was an unforgettable journey in new opportunities and a great motivation for innovative inspirations.

 FIVE THINGS YOU’LL BRING WITH YOU FROM THE EXPERIENCE:

1. iAtelier linked designers and makers with experts in digital innovation to create a range of craft products that fuse traditional and digital methodologies

1. Develop opportunities for collaboration to stimulate innovation
2. Encourage to adopt new technologies to enhance traditional craft practices

4. Interesting practical experimentations which finally has great results
5. The digital fabrication makes things easier and my ideas – I thought was impossible to fulfill in near future– is now possible with these technologies.

The project developed during iAtelier: Bikilas & Mini Lkhini