27 April 2018 - 27 May 2018

The exhibition has been structured as a study of the universal concept of roots, genetic memory, and the primal impulse to describe the world using the magic universality of the sign.

Artworks inspired by Neolithic art use layers of modernity combining into a single whole abstract imagery with recognizable details. Touching upon the symbolic richness and geometry of prehistoric means of expression, these artworks seek to represent a consolidated image of time and the human presence sealed in it.

Through the rich language of the paintings the artist offers an effortless translation of archaic symbols into relevant artistic, aesthetic, and philosophical interpretations.

The tailor-made exhibition created by the artist to fit the space of the Sofia City Art Gallery features 30 paintings. They are complemented by three cycles of terracotta works creating the sensation of authenticity and primal vitality.

An exhibition catalogue is available.

„All forms of Neolithic representations around the world constitute painting ensembles that are a combination of three major categories, namely geometrical motifs or abstract signs, animals, and human figures. This thematic and technical unity of prehistoric art harbors an amazing symbolic treasure which motivated me to interpret and create this cycle of paintings and terra cotta works entitled ‘Celestial Dog’.“

Zahari Kamenov

03 April 2018 - 05 August 2018

The exhibition Between Tradition and Modernism. Images of the Native in Bulgarian Art of the 1920’s is an attempt to present a segment of Bulgaria’s art scene between the early and the mid-20^th century. To a certain extent, the singling out of the 1920’s as a distinct period in the history of Bulgarian art was done by art critics for convenience, and is therefore used by this exhibition as a reference point with no strict time boundaries. This decade was a time of vigorous development of the art scene characterized by versatility and modernization. The exhibition is a compilation of artworks exemplifying various trends in the process of modernization, as well as continuation of the tradition of the preceding decades by young Bulgarian art. The artists’ focus of attention was the quest for a national identity and the creation of images epitomizing this concept. The exhibition was developed along four distinct thematic lines in Bulgarian art characteristic of the period, namely interpretations inspired by folk tales and epics, artworks drawing on Christianity and Christian heritage, interest in rites and rituals and representation of images of the Bulgarian countryside. Prints constitute a special component of the exhibition whose presentation of the highlights of the period is complemented by applied art exhibits.

The exhibition features artworks by iconic Bulgarian artists, namely Ivan Milev, Vladimir Dimitrov the Mater, Sirak Skitnik, Ivan Penkov, Nikolay Raynov, Pencho Georgiev, Ivan Lazarov, Nikola Kozhuharov, Boris Denev, Georgi Mashev, etc. The artworks presented in the exhibition come from the permanent collections of the following museums: Sofia City Art Gallery, National Art Gallery, Sofia, Museum of Reginal History, Sofia, Institute of Ethnology and Folklore Studies with Ethnographic Museum, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Archives State Agency, National Academy of Arts, SS Cyril and Methodius National Library, Union of Bulgarian Artists, Plovidv City Art Gallery, art galleries of the cities of Stara Zagora, Kazanlak, Kyustendil, Pazardzhik, Sliven, Shumen, Ruse, Samokov City History Museum, museums of regional history of the cities of Dobrich and Vratsa, as well as from private collections.

The project, which was brought to life with kind support from Aurubis Bulgaria AG and the Culture Program of the Sofia City Municipal Council Program, is dedicated to Bulgaria’s presidency of the EU Council.

The exhibition was curated by Adelina Fileva, Stanislava Nikolova, and Lyuben Domozetski. Other participants in the project include consultant Tatyana Dimitrova and artist Nadezhda Oleg Lyahova.