August 2024
Panayot Dimitrov – Ponkata
“The Legend of the Cuman Woman”
In August 2024 Hristo Tsokev Art Gallery has decided to honor Panayot Dimitrov – Ponkata on the occasion of his 90th birthday. He is an emblematic representative of the Bulgarian sculpture tradition and one of his works has been selected as the highlight of August.
He was born in Sliven in 1934, but he is most often associated with the town of Veliko Tarnovo, where some of his most famous monumental plastic art pieces came to light.
The Gabrovo Gallery has one work of his in its fund -“The Legend of the Cuman Woman” – and it has been selected as the highlight of this month. The elegantly crafted head is in the artist’s characteristic generalized and even minimalistic style. In his late period Panayot Dimitrov powerfully mastered every material, including wood, as we can see in this sculpture. His exceptional deliberation and comprehension allowed him to extract the most innermost forms that a piece of granite, marble or any type of wood could offer.
His specific approach to sculpture enables him to explore themes such as heroism, mysticism and mythology and also devote attention to historically significant figures, portrait-making and others. What is even more impressive is the fact that this master of sculpture works only with his hands and makes use of classic sculptural techniques and technologies.
“The Legend of the Cuman Woman” boasts an elegant streamlined form with inlaid pieces of stone and metal. Panayot Dimitrov’s experience in the field of sculpture-making and his knowledge about sculptural compositions allowed him to skillfully release the volume of the work by emphasizing the rear part of the piece. The delicate surface-level processing of the wood brings to the fore its most striking visual qualities. It is indisputable that this sculpture stands powerfully amongst its surroundings and the clever decision to put it on a pedestal only adds to that feeling.
When looking at the creative decisions that Panayot Dimitrov made when it comes to his plastic art pieces, we can sense the tranquility with which he handles form and brings to the fore “that which is spiritual in art”. Each exquisite line in his works urges the viewer to concentratedly look within themselves.
The work “The Legend of the Cuman Woman” by Panayot Dimitrov will remain the highlight of the month until the 13th of September 2024. Hristo Tsokev Art Gallery is delighted to invite all sculpture lovers to experience for themselves the might of the eminent sculptor Panayot Dimitrov.
Dr. Deyan Boev
Translation by Gabriela Hristova
May
Petar Dochev
(1934-2005)
„Unfinished forms”
In the rubric “Highlight of the month” in May 2024 we are turning our attention to the artist Petar Dochev and celebrating 90 years since his birth. His powerful concept of art allowed him to create pieces which were definitely considered avant-garde at the time they were created. Furthermore, they are still considered exceptionally systematic and categorical in the contemporary context.
The piece “Unfinished Forms”, which is part of the fund of Hristo Tsokev Art Gallery, is characteristic of his monumental convictions, sense of synthesis and innovative approach. When talking about Petar Dochev in all the genres he worked within (from the industrial landscape to the absolute abstractions in his later works), one should keep in mind his talent for understanding the depths of the artistic process – not only those of painting, but also those of plastics and relief. The surface of his works is strongly connected with “that which is portrayed” – it is dynamic and contains bold interventions. In fact, the viewer is lost within the riches of his approach without even getting close to the tangible specifics. Maturity, definiteness and innovation in applying the artistic techniques and technologies are only some of the characteristics of his works. They examine the prosaic to the point of reaching cosmic constructiveness or destruction…
Petar Dochev had a talent for aptly using dimensions in his works. They are saturated with raw tangibility and uniqueness of the plastic exploration. By molding with unorthodox materials on different surfaces, the artist does not tell, but explicitly shows what he means by each one of his ideas. This communicativeness of Petar Dochev’s works enchants the viewer. The qualities of an indivisible whole are presented as one true work of art.
Hristo Tsokev Art Gallery cordially invites all art lovers to come acquaint themselves with Petar Donchev’s work “Unfinished Forms” in May 2024.
Dr. Deyan Boev
Translation by Gabriela Hristova
April
In its traditional rubric “Highlight of the month”, Hristo Tsokev Art Gallery is focusing on the work of one of the most emblematic contemporary artists – Ivan Hristov – Groga, whom we lost only a few days ago. May his memory live forever!
The work of Ivan Hristov – Groga is an example of delicate psychological analysis in representations of nature. The artist has managed to portray its states and nuances, which border on magic. The classical painting techniques – oil paint on a canvas, and the almost-graphic preciseness of form in his works, are immediately recognizable and have become something like a trademark of his art. Ivan Hristov – Groga’s paintings emit calm which sometimes borders on melancholy, mirroring the artist’s inner world. Some of his canvases have a surrealistic feel to them, presenting the states of nature as a sacrament accessible only to those who are capable of not only looking, but seeing beyond what is visible and feeling nature. In his interviews, the artist emphasizes that he never deliberately sought after the aforementioned effects to attract the viewer – in fact, it was the opposite and they occurred on their own, stemming from the artist’s own inner experiences. The artist was fond of drawing winter landscapes, even in the summer. In his winter evenings and nights we are met with peculiar conditions which incite enlightened reflections on life. Nature is the dominant image in them, with humans being only hinted at, which emphasizes the order that the artists believes in. In this way, Ivan Hristov – Groga sends his subtle message to the viewer about the order that we have to maintain in order to achieve harmony with our surroundings.
Stanislav Goncharov
Translation by Gabriela Hristova
March
Rada Yakova
„Lost”
The month of March brings along concentrated feminine energy, a sensation of spring and growth. This is why Hristo Tsokev Art Gallery has chosen to present Rada Yakova’s 2017 work “Lost” as its highlight of the month. The gallery acquired this work as a donation from the author, who had taken part in “Spring Salon 2020”. Apart from being a painter, the author is also a graphic designer and an illustrator. She has a master’s degree in Visual Arts and Advertising, which she completed in Vienna. In her works, Rada Yakova often focuses on the female identity and her pieces have been shown in prestigious galleries in Prague, Amsterdam, The Hague, New York, Vienna and London. In 2019 she participated in the Venice Biennale with her project “Personal Structures”.
“Lost” carries a melancholy feeling with its few colors and expressive gestures. The figure composition is on the verge of turning into a complete abstraction. The minimalistic approach that the artist has made use of synthesizes powerful emotions. It is hard to determine whether the figure dissolves into the dark background or is an emanation of grey smoke, engendered by the wasteland by which it is surrounded. In terms of technique, the piece is made with acrylic paint on a canvas. This allows for every emotion and gesture to be sealed quickly, using the alla prima method. It is painted on a canvas which is 80cm wide and 70cm high, which is entirely in line with easel painting and perfectly encapsulates the work’s qualities. A good balance is struck between lines and patches, which is a prerequisite to even more elevated aesthetic qualities. A stable painting approach which is no slave to academic art can be noted.
The team of Hristo Tsokev Art Gallery cordially invites all art lovers to see for themselves Rada Yakova’s work “Lost”, as well as the works from “Spring Salon 2024” until the end of March 2024.
Dr. Deyan Boev
Translation by Gabriela Hristova
February
Valentin Stefanov
„Discovery III”
Hristo Tsokev Art Gallery presents Valentin Stefanov’s graphic work “Discovery III” as its highlight of February 2024. The vast graphics collection of the museum offers a cross section of the most active and central names in Bulgarian graphic art. The tendency of the rubric to present works which are rarely featured in exhibitions makes it possible to both perform a more in-depth exploration of the gallery fund and to bring lesser known artists to the attention of the wider public.
The piece “Discovery III”, executed in the author’s own technique in 1988, is abstract and fully in line with the characteristics of the respective decade. The development of new themes and approaches in Bulgarian art in the late 1980s affected graphic art as well.
The modern and bold approaches that the author took in creating “Discovery III” and the dynamic line in the upper part compared with the static quality of the lower part do not lead to eclecticism, but rather form a harmonious composition instead. The work also makes use of wonderfully mastered technology, a precise imprint and fine highlights. High aesthetic value and a contemporary look are the results of that. The saturated black color, contrasted with pure white and the many shades of gray contribute to the complex and rich structure of the piece.
All graphic art lovers can see “Discovery III” by Valentin Stefanov for themselves until the end of February 2024 at Hristo Tsokev Art Gallery.
Dr. Deyan Boev
Translation by Gabriela Hristova
January
Pavel Frantsaliyski
“Winter Landscape”
The fund of Hristo Tsokev Art Gallery may have only one work by one of the most prominent water-color painters in Bulgaria during the first half of the 20th century – Pavel Frantsaliyski – but it is very much characteristic of his work as a whole. This work – namely “Winter Landscape” – has been selected as the highlight of January 2024.
Pavel Frantsaliyski was born in Samokov and quickly became the bard of the Rila Mountain and of the nature surrounding his birthplace. Even in his works set in urban areas, natural motifs play a very important role. In the early 20th century (1907), Frantsaliyski graduated from the State Drawing School with a degree in Landscape. His mentor was Ivan Mrkvička. After graduation he spent a short while working as a teacher in Sofia and Stara Zagora before returning to Samokov in 1910 to teach drawing at the Samokov Secondary School. Until the end of his life (1956) he did what he loved most – he portrayed the life of his hometown, its people and the beauty of its nature through his landscapes. His art has been displayed in over 30 independent exhibitions in Sofia, Plovdiv, Dupnitsa, Stara Zagora, Lyublyana and Zagreb. He took part in five of the General Art Exhibitions of the Union of Independent Artists. The vast artistic legacy of Pavel Frantsaliyski is to a large extent scattered among different institutions and private collections, which partly accounts for the fragmentary presentation of his art. Nevertheless, today we can identify a few important and characteristic features of his work. His affinity towards the watercolor technique allows him to strike a balance between the poetic expressions and realistic situations in his works. With a few colorful strokes the artist has always managed recreate the atmosphere and the natural states. This is true for “Winter Landscape” as well. Another key feature of Pavel Frantsaliyski’s work is his fondness for winter landscapes. The soft tones and the light which the paper itself seems to emit are what catches the viewer’s attention. The horizon fuses with the inhabited houses which are surrounded by trees full of brown, beige and grey tones as a kind of border between the sky and the land. People walk home, trudging through the snowy meadow. This can be seen as a metaphor for each person’s life course or their way back home. At the same time, in Pavel Frantsaliyski’s work, nature is full of calm and facilitates the meditative contemplation of its states and conditions. The artist does not put man and his surroundings in opposition, but places people within the natural cycle instead.
The artistic legacy of Pavel Frantsalyiski is interesting both from an artistic and a scientific point of view. On the one hand, it presents us with the opportunity to look into the regional artistic scene in Bulgaria during the first half of the 20th century. On the other hand, Frantsaliyski’s oil paintings are an inseparable part of the total legacy of the oil painters of this period.
Hristo Tsokev Art Gallery invites all viewers to come see the work of Pavel Frantsaliyski in January 2024.
Stanislav Goncharov
Translation by Gabriela Hristova
December
Encho Pironkov
„Winter walk”
The staff of Hristo Tsokev Art Gallery has chosen the painting “Winter Walk” by Encho Pironkov as its highlight for the month of December 2023. This is a perfectly logical choice given the approaching winter holidays – Christmas and New Year’s. Apart from this thematic connection, the work offers high-value minimalistic aesthetics. With a few gestures Maestro Pironkov manages to master the canvas in its entirety and detail.
Encho Pironkov was born in the village of Rozovets (Plovdiv region) in 1932. He is one of the most prominent representatives of the so-called “Plovdiv Group” alongside Dimitar Kirov – DiKiro, Yoan Leviev, Georgi Bozhilov – Slona and Hristo Stefanov. With their bohemian spirit and attitude, they started new trends in Bulgarian art as a whole. Their freedom and aristocratic spirit inspired generations of Bulgarians. Painting was emotion and reflection in one. Encho Pironkov’s first one-man show was held in 1965 at the Union of Bulgarian Artists in Sofia. It was followed by a number of independent and joint exhibitions in Bulgaria and abroad. Outside of Bulgaria, Encho Pironkov has exhibited his work in one-man shows in Paris, Madrid, Vienna, Rome, Warsaw, Budapest, Berlin, Dresden, Cologne, Bologna and others. He has a talent for both monumental and easel painting and is the author of a hundreds of murals, mosaics and ceramic wall panels.
The painting “Winter Walk” portrays an intimate family moment of winter pastimes and games. The painting technique and technology are classical: oil on canvas. The color palette ranges from shades between black and white to red highlights. It inspires in the viewer a sense of balance and calm, as well as idyllic memories and feelings.
Encho Pironkov’s view of art offers an overview of the processes taking place in Bulgarian art throughout an entire era. Hristo Tsokev Art Gallery invites everyone to come see his works for themselves throughout the month of December 2023.
Dr. Deyan Boev
Translation by Gabriela Hristova
August
In August 2023 the Hristo Tsokev Art Gallery rubric “Highlight of the month” presents the painting “Still Life with Clay Crockery” by Karlis Dobrays.
The Latvian painter, graphic artist and sculptor Karlis Dobrays (born in 1943) is an unique figure in contemporary Latvian art and is one of the post prominent artists and teachers. He spent the years 1954-1961 studying at the Riga Art School and after graduation he went on to study at the Pedagogical Faculty of the Latvian Academy of Arts. After graduating in 1970 he spent 7 years in the city of Daugavpils, where he worked as head of the Art Department and restorer at the Daugavpils Historical and Art Museum. Since 1972 he has been a member of the Union of Artists in Latvia. In the years 1975-1977 Karlis Dobrays was in charge of the Daugavpils branch of the Artists’ Union. According to researchers, under his direction an energetic group of young artists formed and many art workshops were held. Later, he went on to work in higher education – he worked as a lecturer at the Latvian Academy of Arts and at the Pedagogical Faculty of the University of Latvia, where he was served as head of a department (1987-1992). In the mid-90s he opened his own drawing and painting studio in Riga.
Karlis Dobrays has been actively taking part in exhibitions since he graduated from the Riga Art School. His works have been displayed in a number of independent and joint exhibitions in many cities in Latvia and abroad. Apart from that, he has won a number of awards. One-man shows of his were held in Latvia in 2003, 2010 and 2011. He is currently living in Riga and his works are on display in museums and private collections in Latvia, Russia, the USA, Japan, Denmark, France, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Sweden, Greece and Germany.
The figure of Karlis Dobrays is usually associated with figural painting, portraits and still lives. In the early days of his artistic career he created a few large-scale works (including monumental murals) but later he went on to paint works in smaller sizes and also started working in the field of handmade graphics and illustration. He has been awarded for his achievements in this field several times. His artistic style is characterized by a focus on the academic quality of the artwork – clear and comprehensible forms and delicate use of color. Allegorical, mythological and religious motifs can often be found in his paintings. Some of his works make use of grotesque images with numbers, fragments of text and exaggerated signs, which hold a symbolic meaning.
In 1979 Karlis Dobrays took part in the International Plein Air Painting Event “Bozhentsi”. On the one hand, the painting “Still Life with Clay Crockery” reflects the artist’s interest in traditional Bulgarian culture and on the other, it reflects his distinctive aspiration to create a generalized stylized image and to use artistic means (drawing, composition and color) to incite feelings of warmth and comfort. The round shapes – the table and the objects on it – form a compositional harmony and simultaneousness and in this way symbolize the totality and uninterruptedness of human life.
On the eve of this year’s edition of the International Plein Air Painting Event “Bozhentsi”, Hristo Tsokev Art Gallery extends invitations to all citizens and guests of Gabrovo to come and acquaint themselves with the art of the famous Latvian artist Karlis Dobrays.
Stanislav Gonchаrov
Translation by Gabriela Hristova
July
Plamen Avramov
“Sitting Figure”
This month, Hristo Tsokev Art Gallery presents to the public’s attention Pavel Avramov. He was born in Silistra and graduated from the Kazanlak Art School in 1976 and from the National Academy of Arts in 1984 with a degree in Sculpture. He is interested in the issues surrounding the formation of a contemporary sculptural form. He lives and works in Varna. For his sculptures he uses materials such as stone, wood and metal and makes use of different ceramic approaches. His talent unfolds in the experimental beginning, the confident sculptural gesture and the approach to the multifaceted possibilities of art.
The work of his that Hristo Tsokev Art Gallery has chosen as a highlight of July is “Sitting Figure”. It is an exquisite ceramic piece, an achievement of small-scale plastic arts. It is exceptionally “collected” and compact with a clean silhouette and a Neolithic influence which has undergone transformations and is now more contemporary and poetic. The sculptor formed the figures with a great understanding of the material, using minimalistic expressions and delicately drawing on the surface of the form. The references to that which is ancient, inherently female and mystical are obvious. The combination of curtness, carefully and delicately formed proportions and fine details is that “instrument” which creates the effect of “Sitting Figure”. Pavel Avramov’s sense of aesthetics allows him not to fall into extremes. An important characteristic which points to the maturity of an author is the inner knowledge and sensibility towards the completeness of their work. This characteristic can be found within Pavel Avramov’s work. His works are complete, clean in terms of execution, subconsciously stimulating, containing highlights in the right places and carrying ancient artistic codes.
Important elements of Pavel Avramov’s work are his drawings. They are an exploration which is directly connected with his sculptures. In his drawings one can sense his views and understanding of sculpture and they can hardly be distinguished from his work in plastics. It is precisely his concept of completeness that impresses and attracts sculpture connoisseurs. Those that wish to read Pavel Avramov’s delicate and poetic messages are welcome to do so at Hristo Tsokev Art Gallery during the month of July.
Dr. Deyan Boev
Translation by Gabriela Hristova
Awards and competitions won:
2009 – First place at a republican competition – Sculpture for specialization at „Cite Internationale des Arts“ – Paris;
2012 – Regional Sculpture Award from the competition “Awards – Alianz Bulgaria” for Northeastern Bulgaria, held in Varna
2015 – General Exhibition of the Union of Bulgarian Artists – Awarded by “Supporting the Arts in Bulgaria” Foundation
2016 – Grand award of Pleven Municipality – 8th Biennial for Small Sculptures – Pleven
Works of his can be seen in the National Art Gallery in Sofia, galleries in Pleven, Dobrich, Shumen, Targovishte, Silistra, as well as in private collections in Bulgaria, Italy, France, Austria, Finland, the USA, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, the UK and South Korea.
June
Emil Stoychev
“Clear Day”
This month, Hristo Tsokev Art Gallery has chosen to present one of the most successful Bulgarian painters – Emil Stoychev. His specific views on the art of color and form have been acknowledged worldwide. The gallery is honored to have in its possession several works of his, among which there are both some works painted in his typical style and some small-scale oil paintings.
This artist’s originality is clearly visible in the piece which has been chosen as a highlight of the month of June. “Clear Day”, painted as a conventional landscape, is a composition which bears the characteristics of the artist’s mature period. It was painted in 1970 and it captures viewers with its dynamicity, the complexity of its palette and its naturalness. This straightforwardness and the “unburdened” quality of his works which give the impression of an “alla prima” technique, are the artist’s trademarks. It can clearly be seen that the artist had no hesitation when painting this piece – the marginalized themes that he chose and the complex and his profound painting technique are signs of that.
The author was part of a generation which cannot “boast” about such a degree of freedom. In a time when the topic of labor, the General Artistic Exhibitions and the dogma of socialist art ruled everywhere, Emil Stoychev chose to make original and avant-garde art. He is a great example of talent which goes beyond national borders. He, alongside Genko Genkov, is known for his provoking seriousness and graveness. Both of them are incomparable painters towards whom viewers cannot remain indifferent. “Clear Day” is a piece which would rarely be featured in exemplary expositions. “Clear Day” addressed issues in Bulgarian avant-garde art which were not addressed even in the 1990s. This is precisely why Emil Stoychev deserves to be paid attention to, to be analysed and to hold a special place in Bulgarian art.
Every visitor of Hristo Tsokev Art Gallery is welcome to experience for themselves the vision and inspirations of Emil Stoychev during the month of May.
Biography:
Emil Stoychev was born on June 26 1935 in Sofia. He started working as an artist at a theater at the end of the 1950s. Since 1991 he has been living and working in Paris. He was the only Bulgarian artist to represent Eastern Europe in the catalogue of Auction House “Drouot”. In the 1990s, the mayor of Paris at that time Jacque Chirac invited him to hold an exhibition at the Château de Bagatelle. In the late 1990s he organized a grand exhibition in the Dobrich Art Gallery. In 1995 his works were displayed in an exhibition at the Museum for Foreign Art in Sofia in honor of him turning 60. In April 2020 he was awarded an honorary doctorate by the National Academy of Arts in Sofia. He has taken part in all GAE (General Artistic Exhibitions) and in Bulgarian art exhibitions abroad. He has taken part in the Biennale for Painting in Cannes-sur-Mer in France (1978, 1981), the International Art Fair in Basel (1978, 1988), the International Art Fair in New York (1980) and the “Autumn Salon” in Paris (1979, 1987). He has held one-man shows in Sofia (1965, 1966, 1971, 1975, 1976, 1985, 1995), Plovdiv (1973, 1977), Varna (1977), Sliven (1983), Dobrich (1989), as well as n Berlin, Warsaw, Madrid, Prague, Paris, Limassol, Luxemburg, the USA, Belgium, Austria. His works can be found in the funds of the National Art Gallery, the Art Gallery of Sofia, art galleries in Blagoevgrad, Varna, Ruse, Sliven, Dobrich, Burgas, as well as in the national galleries in Bucharest and Prague and private collections in Europe, North America and Japan. Some of his awards include: Award of Sofia (1967), Award of the Union of Bulgarian Artists “Vladimir Dimitrov – the Master” (1879, 1985), Award from the Biennale in Cannes-sur-Mer (1981), the Grand Award of the Sixth Biennale in Szczecin, Poland (1975) and of the City Council in Rodom, Poland (1987)
Dr. Deyan Boev
Translation by Gabriela Hristova
May
As its highlight of the month of May Hristo Tsokev Art Gallery presents the work of the artist Ivan Georgiev – Dalgiya – “Landscape”, which was made at the International Bozhentsi Plein Air Painting Event in 1975. The softness of the pastel that he used recreates the scene, emphasizing the variety of green transitions and smooth outlines of the natural landscapes that surround Bozhentsi. By using the color palette found in nature itself, the artist strengthens the feelings of calm and harmony which this historic place is full of.
The gallery team has invited Assoc. Prof. Tsvetan Kolev to present the artist:
Like a divine bird
Ivan Georgiev – Dalgiya
Art is the secret to freedom. The secret to freedom is irreplaceable. It is an abyss.
Due to some unknown reasons and conditions, or simply because of God’s will, some village-born people carry within themselves an aristocratic feel and attitude. They radiate aristocratism not because of their background, but because of their endowment in some aspect of human life. This was the case with Ivan Georgiev – Dalgiya. His naturally determined fate was that of a free artist in the broadest sense – complete freedom in life and art. Fate had drawn him a path different from the beaten one that the people with his background took – he was meant to go on a journey towards a life of complete artistic freedom.
This inner aspiration towards free artistic expression led to him enrolling in the seminary. He probably realized that in order to reach artistic freedom he had to through faith first. It is unclear why he left the seminary, but perhaps it was because of his infinite striving for complete freedom. He applied for the Art School in Sofia, where he was immediately accepted. His talent must have been wholeheartedly appreciated.
Ivan was aware of his talent. He never hesitated or doubted his qualities as an artist. He was fated to go on an artistic journey. He did not need the long, draining process of education that does not always lead to complete creative freedom. His talent was strong enough to take him on his own journey. He believed in his talent without being self-absorbed. He left the secondary school and started living as God’s bird, led by the emotion of his creative ideas and life’s challenges.
His work stands out because of its originality – he sought new forms without being influenced by outside examples and without committing to any “-isms”. He built his own creative and worldly life and had his own views on his surroundings. He incorporated himself as a participant in this imaginary world as well. He created for and in it. The strange thing about him was that despite inhabiting this fantasy world, he was completely down-to-earth, intriguing and close to the viewer. This is a result of his highly impressionable nature when it came to his surroundings. This is also where his involvement in all genres of painting comes from – landscape, portrait, composition. He was strongly inclined to painting people from the Rhodope Mountains. He worshipped the music, songs, the mountain and the people from this region. He, the child of the Danube, was entranced by the Rhodope Mountains. He bought a bagpipe and sang his favorite songs from the region. He tried to live in a village, following the example of the highlanders.
He had an affinity for making stone walls. This affinity combined itself in a peculiar way with his infinite perfectionism in painting. He made stone walls not because he needed to or to make a living, but as a poetic way of fulfilling his desire for perfection. He was proud of his stonewall-making skills and there was something philosophical in the way he arranged the stones which bordered on poetry. He never finished these walls, but this was not his aim either. He had created his own philosophy which was very reasonable and surprisingly deep given the lack of influences. He had found his own answer to many worldly questions. He did not mind his unfortunate way of living and he wasn’t burdened by having to work for a bare existence. What helped him with that was his aristocratic view of life and his aspiration not to concern himself with worldly problems.
Ivan Georgiev was not a prolific artist. Each piece of his was a journey, an experience, an emotion and a deep commitment to meaning. He strove for perfect execution. It was an infinite, almost painful pursuit of perfection. His drawings were a peculiar part of his work, created with an infinite tenderness which bordered on musicality. They carried almost as much energy and depth as his paintings. Just like many other artists, Ivan strove for the almost unachievable perfection of thought and form in this world. This practically led to him refusing to create any more art. Despite that, life would be faceless and jejune without the flavor of such artists’ creations. The exceptions in these people’s lives are what propels art forward in all its fields. Without such people life would be a drag and man would be lonely in this overburdened and confounded world.
Assoc. Prof. Tsvetan Kolev
Translation by Gabriela Hristova
February
Highlight of the month of February 2023
Dragan Nemtsov – “The Hand of the Artist”
He had a fortunate fate as an artist thanks to the Aprilov National High School.
A fundamental event in his long life was the Bombing of Sofia in 1943, which he witnessed with his own eyes.
What keeps him going is the Gabrovian sense of humor and the credo – “whatever happens, always search for the other side of things” – view things from a different angle.
He thinks that the Bulgarian people have not achieved complete freedom yet and they haven’t fully unleashed their creative potential.
He believes that there is a way to find the goodness and unity that we need to move forward.
He is Dragan Nemtsov – Drago and his work “The Hand of the Artist” has been chosen as the highlight of the month by Hristo Tsokev Art Gallery.
This piece is the newest addition to the fund of the Gabrovian gallery. It was donated by the artist himself after his last show “Sofia’s Two Faces” which was held at the Capital Library in December 2022. In this exhibition Dragan Nemtsov showed those parts of Sofia, those two faces that are associated with goodness and beauty. In the pieces presented the artists sought unity and harmony between architecture and nature. What is most impressive about the exhibition is the artist’s aspiration to create and to seek the dimensions of his own spirit.
Ever since he was a university student, Nemtsov has been creating graphics as well as paintings.
In the fund of Hristo Tsokev Art Gallery there are mainly early graphics of his and some paintings which build an imaginary time bridge between the 1960s and today.
When looking at the work that we are presenting today – “The Hand of the Artist”, we cannot help but think of the Nikola Nikolov’s words from 1963 which seemingly predetermined Dragan Nemtsov’s artistic journey: “His style is the style of an artist who will always seek. And we have to believe that those who seek will remain young and will be the true artists of their time.”
The artwork can be viewed from the 14th of February to the 8th of March at Hristo Tsokev Art Gallery.
Nelly Nedeva
Translation by Gabriela Hristova
Biography of the artist:
Dragan Nemtsov – Drago was born in 1935 in Gabrovo. He received his secondary education at the Aprilov National High School, after which he went to the National Academy of Art in Sofia where he graduated with a degree in painting in Prof. Dechko Uzunov’s class. He has been a member of the Union of Bulgarian Artists since 1963 and has participated in over 100 exhibitions in Bulgaria and abroad. Dragan Nemtsov was a teacher at the Aprilov National High School and at the Art School in Gabrovo, a secretary of long standing at the National Committee of the InSEA – the International Nurnberg Society for Education through Art. He was also an Associate professor at Sofia University, a lecturer at the NAA (National Academy of Arts) and is the author of art textbooks and methodological tools. He also has a first-class Order of Saints Cyril and Methodius. At nearly 80 years old Drago started drawing on his iPad and created hundreds of digital pieces.
January
Roy Plaistowe
“Untitled III”
At the beginning of the cultural calendar for 2023 Hristo Tsokev Art Gallery presents the piece “Untitled III” by the British artist Roy Plaistowe. He was born in London, the UK. He specialized at the Ealing Academy of Fine Arts. He was taught by world-famous artists such as David Hockney and Ronald Kitaj. He works in different fields of plastics. He lived in Amsterdam, the Netherlands for 20 years and held two grand exhibitions there. In London and Amsterdam, he made storyboards for film and advertising.
His independent works are mainly portrait paintings. He examines characteristic types of people and tries to capture their spiritual essence. He skillfully interprets the most cherished and characteristic qualities of his models and places color boldly and explicitly. He mainly uses oil and watercolor paint.
The piece “Untitled III” was made at the the International Bozhentsi Plein Air Event in 2022. The traditional forum organized by UBA (Union of Bulgarian Artists) and Hristo Tsokev Art Gallery presents the participants with an opportunity to experiment. This work allowed Roy Plaistowe to do something different from his typical portraits and boldly paint a landscape instead. This piece is borderline monochromatic, with a few delicate touches of blue and green. The spirit of the artist is lyrical and exploratory and he examines transitions from a variety of different angles.
The fundamental aim of the “Highlight of the month” rubric is to examine such tendencies and trends in the works in the gallery fund. Each change in the main trend that artists follow is interesting not only from the point of view of an art critic, but also as a reference point in museum work. Gallery funds grow in richness when they have as many as possible works from different periods of the development of a given author. Art itself is given a voice and that makes it easier to create concept exhibitions in a museum.
Roy Plaistowe is a valuable addition to the Gabrovian group of artists. He brings a new “freshness” and enriches the local scene. Him inserting himself into Bulgarian culture by taking part in traditional forums such as the International Bozhentsi Plein Air Event, classical salon exhibitions of Gabrovian artists and others serves to provoke and motivate local artists. The piece “Untitled III” can be viewed until February 7th 2023 at Hristo Tsokev Art Gallery.
Dr. Deyan Boev
Translation by Gabriela Hristova
December
“The Secret Book of the Bogomils” 4
Stoimen Stoilov
In December 2022 Hristo Tsokev Art Gallery presents Stoimen Stoilov’s “The Secret Book of the Bogomils” – work 4 as its highlight of the month. The artist has made considerable contributions to Bulgarian graphic art and has marked a specific line of art with his work.
Stoimen Stoilov was born on September 18th 1944 in Varna. He graduated from the Higher Institute of Fine Arts “Nikolay Pavlovich” (now the National Academy of Arts). In the 1980s he was the president of the Varna Group of Artists. Traditionally, the Varna graphics school has always has been regarded as one of high status and quality. Stoimen Stoilov was the winner of the Herder Prize in 1991. He has held numerous one-man shows in Sofia, Varna, Paris, Oslo, Moscow, Odessa and New York. He has also experimented with painting.
The color graphic work from “The Secrets Book of the Bogomils” 4 bears the author’s characteristic style, examines the mythology of Bogomilism and makes use of biblical symbolism. The print is exceptionally technologically precise given the use of a few colors. The artist makes great use of the effects and qualities of lithography and demonstrates an avant-garde approach to drawing and composition. His collection of lithoprints from “The Secret Book of the Bogomils” demonstrates his obvious ability to be expressive and to fully explore the topics that he deals with. The print that we are presenting today dates back to 1981 and is a valuable part of the graphics fund of Hristo Tsokev Art Gallery.
We invite all aficionados of graphic art to come see for themselves the work “The Secret Book of the Bogomils” 4 by Stoimen Stoilov in December at Hristo Tsokev Art Gallery.
Dr. Deyan Boev
Translation by Gabriela Hristova
November
The opening of Prof. Dr. Krasimir Rusev’s exhibition is today at 17.30 and to coincide with that, Hristo Tsokev Art Gallery has chosen as its highlight of November his work “20th Century – Clichés”, which is part of the exhibition. This work is a significant and provocative experiment. The artist aims at illustrating the uncertainties of that time by using quotes which are not taken out of context at all. It was an exceptionally turbulent and tumultuous time and also a time of many revolutions.
Krasimir Rusev examines the images of the time symbolically – in a series of panels he paints a picture which is recognizable to any viewer who has witnessed the processes of the 20th century with their own eyes. From the crucifix to the skateboard, which were redefined as political and revolutionary messages throughout the century, he strikes using his own personal views. The nuances of the still relevant influence of pop art, of the conceptual “explosion” of Dadaism and of concept art as a whole, are somehow united. Which are the most important segments (in a historical sense) of the 20th century? Which are the most readable images? What about graphic images and messages?
Certainly, none of us has an answer to that, but being involved in the recent past and its echoes in the relative “now”, we are interested in the directions that contemporary visual art takes. In this context Krasimir Rusev is in his element, always seeking the avant-garde and his own figure within the gravitation of contemporary art and asking the right questions.
On the other hand, the means that the artist uses are exceptionally recognizable. His art is closely connected to painting as redefined by graphite, to city messages, to neon, to streets and that which is universal in life. His works serve as a universally agreed upon intersection of the generations of the 1960s, 70s, 80s, and even the 1990s. He diligently tries to vigorously seek what is relevant without blindly following it. His piece “20th century – clichés” is meant to mock general messages and to be a cry for understanding in the vast ocean of mere repetition.
Krasimir Rusev’s series of works which have been the object of his studies throughout the past 8 years, will be available at Hristo Tsokev Art Gallery from November 8th 2022 until the end of the year. In these works he provokes fearlessly, asks the right questions and looks for reference points in art with as a connoisseur. November 2022 is prof. dr. Krasimir Rusev’s month. Come and see his works for yourself!
September
Stefan Altakov
„Memories II”
Prof. Dr. Stefan Kirilov Altakov is a famous Bulgarian artist who was born in Sofia in 1955. He graduated from the Secondary School of Fine Arts in Sofia and obtained a degree in painting from the National Academy of Arts, where he was in the class of prof. Nayden Petkov. He is a member of the Union of Bulgarian Artists. He works as a professor of painting and chromatics at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”. His works have been exhibited in over 100 one-man shows and he has taken part in many national, international, group and independent exhibitions, symposiums, projects, plein air painting events, as well as scholarly conferences in Bulgaria and abroad. His works are the property of the National Art Gallery, the Sofia City Art Gallery, Sofia University, many galleries in Bulgaria and abroad as well as private collections in Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Japan, the Netherlands, Bulgaria and other countries. Many scholarly works of his such as scholarly articles, reports and monographs have been published in Bulgaria and abroad.
Stefan Altakov’s painting style is an interesting fusion of different approaches to painting: expressionistic, abstract and minimalistic and apart from that, his works also contain a lot of symbolism. He often incorporates texts into his canvases. They serve as messages from the past, traces in the person’s memory. When it comes to composition, the texts play an important part as independent graphic elements in the work and together with the colorful patches resemble eastern calligraphy.
The piece “Memories II”, which was donated to the gallery, was made in 2020 and is an abstract composition in the natural blue and green palette with yellow, brown and silver elements. The text is written on a stuck-on thin white piece of paper and next to it there is the imprint of a tree branch, which adds to the nature elements in the piece. The color splash brings dynamicity and spontaneity. The white canvas is like water-color paper and frames the whole composition, bringing harmony to it. On the whole, the composition is vertically oriented.
Hristo Tsokev Art Gallery is delighted to invite all the citizens and guests of Gabrovo to come see a sample of Prof. Dr. Stefan Altakov’s work during the month of September.
Stanislav Goncharov
Translation by Gabriela Hristova
August
A symphony of color in the works of the Lithuanian artist Rimas Bichunas
In August 2022 Hristo Tsokev Art Gallery is delighted to present the painting “Flowers from the Village of Bozhentsi” by Rimas Buchunas as its highlight of the month.
The artist Rimas Bichunas, son of the Lithuanian folk artist Monica Bichyuniene, was born on August 13 1945 in the village of Panemunis in the region of Rokishkis (near the Latvian border). Between the years 1961 and 1966 the future artist studied in the National School of Arts “M. K. Chyurlyonis” (in Vilnius). In the years 1966 to 1972 he studied painting at the Lithuanian State Institute for the Arts in professor Atanas Gudaytis’ class. He started taking part in exhibitions in 1973 and became a member of the Union of Lithuanian Artists in 1975. In the years from 1971 to 2011 he was head of the “Paletė” Art Studio at the Taurakalnis Cultural Centre in Vilnius.
He has held over 10 one-man shows and has taken part in many group exhibitions in Lithuania and 34 exhibitions abroad: France (1982, 1994, 2010); Italy (1982, 2001); India, Japan (1982); Switzerland (1983, 1998, 2000); Poland, Hungary (1987); Germany (1988, 1990-1991, 1993, 1999, 2002); Finland (1989); the UK (1989, 1999-2000), Turkey (1999); the USA (1990, 1995); the Netherlands (1999), China (2002). He was the winner of: the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts Award in 1984; the Genovayte Kazokiene’s (art critic, Australia) Foundation for Fine Arts Award in 1997; the Miklosh Kaplar Award in Hungary in 1987; a diploma from the Peinture Floralies Art Competition which was held in France in 1997. The works of Rimas Bichunas are the property of the Lithuanian National Museum of Arts, the National Museum of Arts “M. K. Chyurlyonis”, the Klapeyda Art Gallery, the Rokishkis Regional Museum, national art galleries of Latvia, Georgia, Bulgaria, Slovakia and the Ludwig Museum of Modern Art in Cologne.
In 1985 Rimas Bichunas took part in the International Bozhentsi Plein Air Painting Event. There he made a few pieces for the gallery fund. One of them – “Flowers from the Village of Bozhentsi” – has been chosen as the highlight of the month. The composition and rich color of this work are characteristic of the artist’s expressionistic style, and so are the deformation of the forms, the combination of bright and contrastive colors and the optimism. Rimas Buchunas’s art is a feast of color. Color plays an extremely important role in his art as it creates the feeling of satisfaction with life and contributes to a fairytale atmosphere. According to him, lines and color can create a melody. Just like the strength of music lies in the variety of sounds, the strength of visual art lies within the rich spectrum of colors. His stylization of figures is professional and skillful and is reminiscent of Lithuanian folk art. Rimas Bichunas’s paintings and drawings often contain his typical lyrical humor.
On the eve of this year’s edition of the International Bozhentsi Plein Air Painting Event, the gallery invites all citizens and guests of Gabrovo to come see the work of the famous Lithuanian artist, as well as that of other artists that have taken part in the event throughout the years in a special exhibition organized by the “Bozhents Plein Air Painting Event” fund of the galley.
Stanislav Goncharov
Translation by Gabriela Hristova
July
Bogomil Zhivkov
“Falling Torso”
In July 2022 Hristo Tsokev Art Gallery presents the sculpture “Falling Torso” by Bogomil Zhivkov in its “Highlight of the month” rubric. Bogomil Zhivkov was born in 1946 in Pernik. He graduated from the National Academy of Arts with a degree in sculpture. He has won a number of awards in the field of sculpture-making. He has also taken part in many exhibitions in Malta, Japan, Austria and the Czech Republic. His delicate sense of form is also the reason for his participation in various sculpture symposiums. Participation in plein air painting events and/or symposiums are two of the ways in which Bulgarian sculptors can make and display their art. Hristo Tsokev Art Gallery owns several of Bogomil Zhivkov’s easel works, which present a notable achievement in the aesthetics of sculpture.
The bronze plastic sculpture “Falling Torso” that we are presenting today is of considerable size and has a dynamic configuration. The rhythm created between the two creates harmony which forms an abstract composition. Despite that, a second look upon the work and its name clarifies its figural characteristics. The purely sculptural features of the work are shown in the form of small plastics. Its intimacy, concentration, delicacy and sometimes even narrative-like quality are some of the classical devices in the genre. The artist knew these laws and skillfully made use of the topic, scale, material and other devices. His works are both free and exquisite. Bogomil Zhivkov’s approach is far from the mythologized roughness of the sculptor – instead, he uses a lyrical approach to creating shapes which are to be respected by every art aficionado. His works show his love for molding and his desire to experiment artistically.
At the height of the summer season Hristo Tsokev Art Gallery invites all citizens and visitors of Gabrovo to take a closer look at the work of Bogomil Zhivkov “Falling Torso” as well as at other projects from the 2022 Cultural Calendar: the Permanent Exhibition of the Gallery Fund, the installation “In the Dark” , made by the ALOS association and co-financed by the “Culture” Program of Gabrovo Municipality, Nikola Tanev’s exhibition “Strokes from a Mini Pernik” which is a partnership with the National Polytechnic Museum, the “Traces” Exhibition from the gallery fund and the Concept Exhibition by Assoc. prof. Galina Tsvetkova “Have You Heard?”, which is an example of yet another collaboration between Hristo Tsokev Art Gallery and Veliko Tarnovo Univeristy “St. Cyril and St. Methodius”. All are welcome!
Dr. Deyan Boev
Translation by Gabriela Hristova
June
Konstantin Tringov
(1907-1981)
“Old Street in Rome”
In June 2022 Hristo Tsokev Art Gallery is delighted to present a work by the renowned Bulgarian artist Konstantin Tringov in its rubric “Highlight of the Month” – namely the painting “Old Street in Rome”. The artist was born in 1907 in the town of Kazanlak. He grew up in a family of craftsmen. He developed a liking for art in his early childhood years. The first person to notice his talent was his drawing teacher Stanyu Stamatov. In the years before he started high school he began working with watercolor and oil paint to recreate scenes from nature that he had observed. This is also when he felt drawn to the urban landscape which became a central theme in his future works. The cultural heritage of Kazanlak itself had an important influence on the future artist. It was at the “Iskra” (“Spark”) Community Centre that Tringov first had the opportunity to look at paintings by Bulgarian artists and to make use of the vast collection of books at the library. Another important factor for the development of his view of life was his encounter with Dimitar Chorbadzhiyski – Chudomir, who was his new art teacher and was a prominent artist and writer. He encouraged the young artist and supported his wish to go study painting at the National Academy of Arts in Sofia.
He started studying at the Academy in 1927 and took a short break from his studies due to his family circumstances. In 1932 he resumed his studies. His painting professors were Tseno Todorov and Nikola Ganushev. Konstantin Tringov entered the Bulgarian artistic sphere in the 1930s. His first two one-man shows were held in Kazanlak when he was still a student, respectively in 1934 and 1936, and they featured mainly landscapes from the region around his hometown. His first encounter with works belonging to global classical and contemporary art was when he went on a month-long trip to Italy and Greece in 1939. Italy, with its beautiful natural and cultural wonders, left a lasting mark on the artist. It showed him new worlds, awakened in him poetic perceptions and stimulated the growth of his talent.
In 1941 Konstantin Tringov opened his first one-man show in Sofia. After that, as an artist with enviable creative vigor, he held a one-man show almost every year. He also took part in the General Exhibitions of the Union of Bulgarian Artists and a few exhibitions abroad. This is how he took part in several exhibitions in Italy: in 1971 he was invited to present works of his at Galleria d’Arte in Rome; in 1974 paintings of his were shown at the San Luka Gallery in Rome. Works of his can be seen in the National Art Gallery of, several galleries in Bulgaria, as well as in many collections in Poland, Italy, Indonesia, Colombia, Canada, Germany and others.
His creative legacy preserves the spirit of tens of towns, villages and places – from his hometown Kazanlak, to Stara Zagora, Sofia, Koprivshtitsa, Melnik, Tarnovo, the Rhodope Mountains and landscapes from Venice. The use of impressionism as a method in his paintings simultaneously carries memories of the respective time and place and a feeling of movement, of color vibration.
Even though he is mostly famous for his landscapes, Konstantin Tringov has worked within other genres as well. He has a vast collection of flower paintings, mostly of flowers-of-the-field, which he contrasts against dark backgrounds. He is also the artist behind many portraits: that of Petko Staynov from 1938, that of Chudomir from 1963, that of Stoyan Venev, of Vladimir Dimitrov – the Master, of Lamar and of himself. One of his most famous portraits is that of his mother from 1943. His paintings are full of nuances and large smears of paint and they emit a feeling of light and airiness. Konstantin Tringov has made significant contributions to Bulgarian painting in the second half of the 20th century.
Stanislav Goncharov
Translation by Gabriela Hristova