July 24 2004, Saturday, 10am-7pm (continues July 25 2004, Sunday, 10am-7pm)
WEEKEND CHANCE TO DISCOVER BULGARIAN ARTISTS, BORN – IN PLACES AS FAR AWAY AS ADDIS ABABA - DURING FIFTIES, SIXTIES, SEVENTIES & EIGHTIES, HAVING THEIR MIXED MEDIA, PAINTED, SCULPTURED & INK-DRAWN WORKS ON SHOW AT MAYFAIR-BASED GALLERY
Last Tuesday we were fortunate to meet the Addis Ababa born, Bulgarian artist, Minna Georgieva (b. 1981). The occasion was "Hidden Gems," a group show of contemporary fine art, with works produced by around a dozen Bulgarian artists. The award-winning artist, Georgieva, is a recent graduate from the Chelsea College of Art and Design, and – in the three or four conversations we had with her that evening - she told us all about her past international exhibitions, her forthcoming Kuwaiti art show and even about her acclaimed mixed media on canvas, "Erysipelas" (120cm x 50cm, £1,500). It is just on your left, as you enter the street-level gallery where the interesting exhibition is taking place. And, once you are inside, you can simply use the two steps in front of you, to enter the main part of the gallery – two rooms, with an open doorway between them, leading from a reception desk and area through to the back of the gallery. As you walk inside, do take note of Milena Botchukova’s stone and bronze sculpture on your right. It is entitled, "Boot of Laughter," and is priced at £950. Along with "Erysipelas," these are just two of the pieces we liked when we visited the exhibition. Other notable artistic works, by both artist, Georgieva and sculptor, Botchukova - along with the other Bulgarian artists, can be easily seen once you are inside the main part of Mayfair-based gallery, as they seem to surround and encapsulate you. When we attended, on Tuesday last, it was the first of two opening receptions being held and it gave us a chance to see works by Kosio Konstantinov; Sonia Kovatcheva (b. 1974); Pancho Malezanov; Plamen Monev (b. 1961) and Gabriel Panev, to name just several. In fact there is quite a wide range of work, done by artists, both young and not so young. Yes, when you come along you will be able to appreciate works by artists born in the fifties, sixties, seventies and eighties (and maybe also even decades earlier!). Anna Apostlova, from TrioArt – the gallery organising this particular group show, has amassed works from a wide-range of talented contemporary Bulgarian artists.
Established in 2003, TrioArt is not only featuring mixed media, paintings and sculptures. But, ink drawings, as well! Yes, as you go down the stairs to the gallery’s lower level, you will note several of Hristo Panev’s figurative ink drawings on your right. We quite liked them! And once you are on the lower level, you will be able to appreciate works by several other artists. In brief, we noted the following artists, media types and sized/priced works: Krassimir Doytchev’s oil on canvas, "Autumn in Pink" (70cm x 50cm, £1,500); Stelly Grancharov’s mixed media on canvas, "Moon in the Garden" (50cm x 70cm, £850); Ivaylo Ivanov’s watercolour, "Vain Trees" (22cm x 32cm, £280) as well as another artist, whose works we know well – having reviewed an exhibition he had in Cork Street a number of years ago (See: April 27 2002, Saturday, 11am-4pm). He is Plamen Kapitanski and you can see his oil on canvas, "Rain II", if you go along to Shepherd’s Market this week. We would estimate, by looking at Kapitanski’s priced works from years back, that the painting is well worth the £950 being asked for it. At which point, having got the undivided attention of all buyers reading this, it would be a good time to point out an added incentive. Yes, according to the brochure, promoting the event – all buyers, who buy a painting at the exhibition, will have a chance to win a Bulgarian holiday, courtesy of Balkan Holidays. Sounds good! We may, just, make a return visit, to see this little part (albeit only a temporary part – the week-long show ends this weekend) of Bulgaria again, and purchase something! Last, but not least, look out for several other artists who also have works to offer, both you and some of this weekend’s Mayfair-bound crowds! Works by: Biliana Batchvarova; Nikolay Dakov; Albena Petrova (b. 1963), Emi Valentinova and Margarita Voynova (b. 1952) are all on show. Go along and discover more. We did. And we are glad we did!
MENU A: Free
E: (see website)
L: 54 The Gallery, Shepherd Market, London, W1
N: 020 7461 0772 (TrioArt)
T: Green Park (Jubilee, Piccadilly and Victoria lines)
