Valentín Kovatchev

VALENTÍN KOVATCHEV METAPHYSICAL SPACES VALENTÍN KOVATCHEV METAPHYSICAL SPACES Dessins ▪ gravures ▪ peintures ▪ portraits Drawing ▪ etching ▪ painting ▪ portrait BRUXELLES. 3 - 15 Mars 2013 GALERIE ALFICAN 2, Place du Grand Sablon Vernissage: Dimanche 3 Mars à partir de 11 h Ouvert tous les jours de 11h à 18h30 Tel. +32 497 156 198 LONDON. 24 May - 6 June 2013 BULGARIAN CULTURAL INSTITUTE LONDON 186-188 Queen´s Gate, South Kensington Vernissage: Friday 24th May at 19:00 pm Tuesday to Sunday, 14:00 pm to 19:00 pm Tel. +44 0207 584 9400 / 9433 www.kovatchev.com Ambassade de la République de Bulgarie au Royaume de Belgique I have had the chance to admire the work of the Bulgarian- Spanish artist Valentin Kovatchev in the past. I did not know then that one day our paths would cross. That is why I feel particularly honoured that the Embassy of Bulgaria in Belgium is able to assist the display of Mr. Kovatchev’s new remarkable exhibition “Metaphysical spaces” in Brussels. Fascinated as a child by Salvador Dali and surrealism Valentin Kovatchev developed his own unique style which brings out the beauty and mystery of Orthodox iconography through masterful etching technique. Today celebrating his 60-th birthday with this exhibition we may safely conclude that the artist has established himself as one of the most famous 5 and successful modern Bulgarian painters. The opening of the exhibition “Metaphysical spaces” coincides with the National Day of Bulgaria – the 3rd of March. This is a particularly pleasant way to mark this important event. I trust that everyone will enjoy this festive occasion and appreciate the talent, originality and high artistic value of Mr. Kovatchev’s work. Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to all those who have contributed to bringing this exhibition to life. Vesselin Valkanov Ambassador of the Republic of Bulgaria to the Kingdom of Belgium It is a pleasure for Bulgarian Cultural Institute London We are pleased that Bulgaria is represented in the world by to host such an ingenious artist as Mr. Valentin Kovatchev. this creator of inexhaustible talent and originality, gifted with The exhibition is a gift from Bulgaria to the whole London such a genius style which uniquely combines his wide cultural audience. background with elements of distinct artistic schools, from the traditional to the most modern. The Bulgarian born artist based in Malaga has sophisticated touch which in a unique way recreates elements of both We are grateful to all those who make the exhibition come Bulgarian and Spanish culture and tradition. true in London. He has lots of prestigious international awards and his works adorn collections worldwide. Through his art, not only has he built bridge between these two cultures, but he has made us aware of the authenticity of the Spanish character in his innumerable creations –historical, in terms of manners and customs, of cities, and of great masters of Spanish literature and plastic art. Thus from the hand of the artist have been created new links of friendship 6 7 and trust which strengthen the spiritual ties between people and nations. Surrealism is always presents in Kovatchev´s works, showing a state of mind, a philosophy of life, a mode of being, acting and reflecting in the face of the facts of existence and history. It also appears in the cycles “Don Quixote with a Bulgarian Soul”, “Erosion”, and “Anatomy of the wild bull.” Orthodox iconography fits with ‘zograf’ precision in Kovatchev’s works. His desire to paint icons somehow did not fit in the work projects of the Studio of military artists, where he was appointed some 30 years ago. So he was forced to leave this otherwise calm job as a full-time artist and started his own way sharing the fate of most artists. The technique of engraving he studied at the Art School and then at the Art Academy in Sofia, but after years of practice and Svetla Dionisieva endeavours he invented his own etching technique, which Director became his art emblem. Bulgarian Cultural Institute London What is particularly charming in the art of Valentin Kovatchev If we compare the Series “Erosion”, which was entirely is the encounter between an inner world so enriching, completed in Bulgaria, with “Anatomy of the Wild Bull”, we can composed of such diverse elements. His art leads us without see that the technique used, the means and compositional any boundaries, free of prejudice, taboos and clichés towards technique of the two sets of works are almost identical. a reality that is surrealistic and which very actively tackles our concept of the world, our cultural experiences and our How is this possible? He has abandoned his native emotional state. For him identity is very important, the particular country, has entered a completely different world and in spite blend of diverse cultures. of everything, remains true to himself. Kovatchev handles in a very particular way, the encounter with reality of our own As an artist, Kovatchev follows the ethics of the great world. He thus is transformed into a magician. He transposes masters. It is apparent he works slowly, cautiously and with the impressions of his external world directly to his inner, very concentration, like an artisan. Only the result of his work personal world. Thus for him, reality has a completely different enables him to be a legitimate artist, and not the opposite, importance. which frequently happens. In Kovatchev we feel an artistic conscience that illuminates all his works. In all of them we see Kovatchev is not a noisy artist; this is also noticeable in that the main figure is in a singular relationship (particular or his current works. Each work conceived is created anew, felt extravagant) with numerous details that surround it: ladders, anew, elaborated with another technique, and the hand of ribbons, pieces of newspapers, birds, plants, etc. that make Kovatchev is unmistakeable. His works reject the temptation of 8 9 the meaning of the main figures vary and offer new themes being catalogued in existing concepts of art. It is not enough to and messages. become free of the authority of petrified interpretations found in the world of art and culture of the past. First it is necessary In this way a genuine richness of possibilities in interpretation to be very familiar with artistic tradition and only after this, it is created, yet with the constant preoccupation of not losing is possible to undo, re-do, re-invent and recreate. This is very traditional values. In his desperation of the loss of spiritual easy to see in the series of “Herman Hesse”, “Picasso”, “Dali” values, in the works of Kovatchev there is always a positive and, in general, all his creations. point of view, although ironic, in an attempt to join art and life through a stairway floating in space. The works by Kovatchev This degree of methodology in the trade of the artist requires during his first years in Spain feature passion, almost self- great effort and time, and talent. Yet only in this way are novel destructive passion, with the motifs of his new country. He works of art created. Precisely this devotion to work, his dedicates himself with the best virtuosity to the technique perfectionism and the richness of this inner world are the solid of engraving which he masters with accuracy and virtuosity base of his philosophical challenges and his social critiques. that requires us to classify him as one of the few international engravers that stand out and are successful. When he arrived to Malaga, he first created the series “Anatomy of the Wild Bull”. Many museums, collectors both private and public, have Edgar W. G. Just purchases his works and continue to do so. Art Critic. Bonn “… Such artists as Valentin Kovatchev can be counted on the fingers of one hand in the world, -those that posses such exceptional sensitivity and, at the same time, have a perfect command of the technique through which to express that sensitivity. Valentin Kovatchev wins the viewer over because he depicts our feelings, yours and mine. His creations are about us; about what we cannot define but can only name: our soul…” Darin Kambov Editor Cultural Department of Bulgarian TV Dessins ▪ gravures ▪ peintures ▪ portraits 12 13 Drawing ▪ etching ▪ painting ▪ portrait From the 16th century famed Triavna School in Bulgaria. The slim sharpened lance, the white armour and steed, all painted here with sombre colours, symbolize that good has triumphed over evil in combat. The red cape flowing in the wind is a reminder that St. George died a martyr during the Christian persecution. St. George, protector saint of the poor, as well as of soldiers, is also revered by shepherds. According to legend, St. George liberated the city of Libya of the Dragon that had been terrorizing the population. This dragon had been kept at bay only by the sacrifice of humans. As the king and queen were at a loss about what to do, they resolved to sacrifice their daughter Elizabeth to the monster. But at the crucial moment the young George arrived, charging on his white steed and killing the dragon, which is clearly illustrated in the icon. Two scenes from his life are missing on either side of the central figure. These have been purposely omitted by the artist to give an 14 even greater sense of “erosion” to the work. The intertwined ropes 15 that give the effect of supporting the icon in different areas are the artist´s way of conveying the sense of restriction and lack of freedom. In the lower portion can be seen many men pulling at the cords in an attempt to destroy the icon.

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