Kinusaiga is a traditional Japanese decorative art technique originally developed to give new life to old kimonos. The method is based on creating intricate compositions from fabric fragments, where texture, color, and material are transformed into a unified visual narrative. Despite its rich cultural heritage, this technique remains relatively unknown to the wider public, and Georgia is no exception.

Five years ago, Nestan Avaliani discovered the art of Kinusaiga and became the first artist in Georgia to create works using this technique. Her practice is firmly rooted in the principles of reuse and resource efficiency. She works exclusively with reclaimed textiles, sourcing high-quality discarded clothing and fabrics from shops, ateliers, second-hand warehouses, as well as from her own and her friends’ wardrobes.

Traditionally, Kinusaiga artworks are created using predefined patterns. However, the artist has deliberately moved away from templates, ensuring that each piece is entirely original. Her works are inspired by personal memories and intuitive color compositions, resulting in warm, distinctive, and highly individual creations. They have been met with strong appreciation from both local and international audiences.

In addition to framed artworks, the same technique has been applied to create Christmas and Easter decorations, thematic author-designed pieces, and wall clocks, where the timepiece mechanism is seamlessly integrated into the textile composition.

Beyond fabrics, the artist also utilizes leftover materials from bag-weaving processes, further reinforcing her commitment to circular economy principles and the minimization of textile waste through creative reuse.