The Blue Tablecloth Atelier
New horizons for a Georgian emblem
The Blue Tablecloth Atelier is dedicated to the reconstruction of lurji supra, which means blue tablecloth, Georgia’s historic indigo-printed textile. Founded in 2010 at the Tbilisi State Academy of Arts by professors Tinatin Kldiashvili and Ketevan Kavtaradze (late), the atelier studies remaining samples of cloths from 18th and 19th centuries to recover their original making methods. To achieve this, they have specialised in cold indigo dyeing, wax resist techniques, hand carved wooden blocks and compositional structures distinctive to this tradition. In addition to historical reconstruction, the atelier experiments with contemporary film printing to create larger series while preserving the visual language of the craft.
Under Tinatin Kldiashvili’s artistic direction, The Blue Tablecloth Atelier functions as a research and educational hub that trains new generations of practitioners. Technologist Vakhtang Kaishauri oversees the chemistry of dyes and process development, while coordinator Elda Churghulashvili manages documentation and organisational research work. In 2020, the atelier became a central partner in a UNESCO-supported programme, leading workshops across Georgia to transmit techniques to women and minority communities. Today, these textiles are returning to Georgian homes and have become a favourite souvenir for visitors, with new studios emerging, founded by artisans trained at The Blue Tablecloth Atelier.
Where
The Blue Tablecloth Atelier
