Boyan KirkovBoyan Kirkov was born on June 9, 1965 in Sofia, Bulgaria. His love of art and music was already obvious in his early childhood - he started playing violin at age five. When he reached fifteen years of age, it was necessary to choose between painting and music. His love for painting prevailed. Still, his love for music left a lasting imprint on his art. In 1985, he finished the highly prestigious High School of Fine Arts in Sofia. He then continued his education at the Academy of Fine Arts, also in Sofia. For six years he studied intensely in the application of fresco, mosaic, vitrage, and all the techniques associated with mural painting. Here he found a passion for the traditions of Bulgarian icon painting, which immediately found its way into his art.
Return to Artist ListKirkov was most interested in the use of authentic materials that were used in ancient times - wood, stone, canvas, natural pigments. He began to investigate the methods of priming canvas and wood, and later experimented in carved wood sculpture. His subject matter of choice is inspired by the affluent history and mythologies of the Balkans. In his paintings, we can feel the rhythms of the unique Bulgarian folk dances; the brilliant colors, the hot sun, and the nostalgia of the plentiful Bulgarian nature.
In 1990, the artist had his very first solo exposition at the House of Bulgarian Students in Sofia. Soon to follow were exhibits in the Gallery Vitosha in Sofia and in the Museum People and Earth. Shortly thereafter, Kirkov found the international recognition that he eagerly wanted.Beginning with a series of exhibitions in Denmark, the artist received media attention which included televised broadcasts of his exhibits, and quite a few articles about him and his work which were published in specialized and local newspapers. These exhibits included the gallery Danske Kaver in Copenhagen, the Valbu Library of Copenhagen, and the gallery Musical Theater in the town of Holstebro.
In 1995, Boyan Kirkov began exhibiting in France at the gallery Le Fleuron in Honfleur, in Art Modern in Paris, and in the gallery Garance in Barbizon. Even more attention was given to the artist following his exposition in the European Council in Strasbourg. In 1996, Kirkov received a gold medal from the IX International Salon for Fine Arts in Chateau de Beauregard, France.
With his exceptional skills, Boyan Kirkov has shown that he is capable of seeing elements of the past and turning them into his own unique world of rich colors and deep, varied emotions, using a fine creative sense and superb command of painting techniques. His paintings are uncommon and often interpreted as an unusual blend of magical realism and hard-edged constructivism.
The artist is currently living and working in Brussels, Belgium, where he continues his explorations into art, design, and culture. His paintings can be found in museums and private collections in Bulgaria, Denmark, France, Belgium, Canada, Japan, and the United States.
