Meaning in lasting Georgian works
- Grigol and Baia's pieces revive Georgian ornaments and symbols
- They specialise in hand carving stamps for block printing
- Their objects include textiles, wood décor and ex libris
Grigol Dalakishvili and Baia Lomsadze create block printed textiles, carved wooden décor and custom ex libris stamps. They hand carve stamps and blend traditional motifs with contemporary design. In April 2020, Grigol and Baia founded their workshop Igrika, which revives the forgotten beauty of Georgian ornaments and symbols. Each piece begins with research into cultural heritage, followed by meticulous craftsmanship that transforms raw materials into meaningful, lasting works. Grigol and Baia's mission is to keep these stories alive, as they invite the owner of each piece to become its keeper. "This way, the story of each object will keep narrating through whoever owns it," they say.
Interview
- How did your journey with block printing begin?
- Grigol: During the pandemic, I discovered wood carving, when my wife Baia playfully carved a fish on an eraser. That moment sparked my idea to unite carving with block printing, reimagining ancient Georgian ornaments in a modern, timeless craft.
- How do you choose your motifs?
- Grigol: Our motifs draw from Georgia’s cultural heritage – medieval churches, ancient buildings and fairy tales with symbolic meaning. My wife and I explore these treasures through museums, archives, bookshops and stories from mountain elders.
- What makes each piece unique?
- Baia: Old ornaments are reimagined with new shapes and details for block printing. Every stamp is hand carved and every print hand placed, so no two pieces are the same. Behind each work lies a gentle story.
- What is your proudest creation?
- Baia: The Moonguard piece is a powerful symbol from ancient Georgian beliefs, embodying protection, strength and blessing. With origins tracing back to the second millennium BC, it carries timeless meaning and cultural depth.
Grigol Dalakishvili & Baia Lomsadze are rising stars: they began their career in 2020
Where
Grigol Dalakishvili & Baia Lomsadze
