Has contemporary Bulgarian visual art succeeded in transcending national boundaries?
It’s very good for art to reveal its authenticity, to be local, to show where it comes from. But when you speak only one language, you remain within certain limits. A foreigner who admires or purchases artwork always tries to put it in some kind of universal framework. Bulgarian art does not have the same rich history as Italian or Greek art, so it is very important for us to speak in the most universal language possible so that people from other nations can understand us. Bulgarian artists cannot define the direction and place of their works in the global art history. Each one works however he wants. But that isn’t enough to sell paintings or even to be understood. Is there an art market in Bulgaria? Yes, there is, but it is unregulated and uncategorised; it follows no rules. The same applies also for galleries – they should be cultural centres, and not just places to sell paintings at. There is no specialisation, nor are there professional distinctions between true art and amateur wo
