Balck and colourful

To The Artworks

a solo exhibition of paintings by Nikolay Dobrev

23 February - 14 March 2022

Opening reception – Wednesday, 23 February 2022 6:00 PM

From February 23, 2022, Largo Art Gallery will present the Bulgarian artist Nikolay Dobrev. After his joint performance with Vladimir Kirov in 2014 and his solo exhibition at Largo Gallery in 2016, this is Dobrev's third performance at Largo Gallery. The exposition is entitled "Black and Colourful" and is realized with the financial support of the National Fund "Culture" under the program "One-year grant 21".

In addition to his well-known and characteristic seascapes, for this show Nikolay has prepared two brand new cycles of paintings inspired by his travels in the last two years - the cycle "Magnolias" and the cycle "Water Lilies".

While in the works with magnolias we will find a gentle, pastel, white-pink color, layers of paint, large strokes, swirling, moving compositions, in the series with water lilies Nikolay shows a completely different face. All paintings from the second cycle are painted on a black background, which is where the idea for the title of the exhibition comes from. Over a black background are painted the aesthetic landscapes of lake water, covered with water lilies in white or pink, with their large leaves, with the roots swaying in the water, with the flicker of light on the delicate flowers.

And while the compositions with magnolias in the present exhibition have a rather abstract character, a lot of movement, dynamic vertical strokes that build the imagery, in the landscapes with lilies Nikolay Dobrev seeks contemplation, balanced and tamed composition, poetic and metaphorical messages. Thus, the magnolia series makes us mobilize, stand on our toes, move away and then get closer to the paintings, forcing us to perform something like a ritual dance of communication with the canvas, so we can fully experience the dynamic landscapes that Dobrev has created. On the contrary - paintings with water lilies require static observation, immersion and meditation in front of the works.

A few more extremely colorful landscapes of autumn leaves complement the series of floral compositions in this exhibition, in which connoisseurs will discover a completely new, different face of the artist.

We hope to see you at the opening of the exhibition with the participation of the artist on 23.02.2022 from 6:00 PM in the main hall of Largo Art Gallery, 8 Han Krum Str., Varna. The opening will be carried out in compliance with all current anti-epidemic measures. The project is realized with the financial support of the National Fund "Culture" under the program "One-year grant 21".

Nelly Valcheva, gallery owner