Stoian – Atanasov Valkov creates an artist’s interpretation of the “Fate of the Gypsy” through a collection of sculptures, paintings, reliefs, drawings and sketches. Each unique resemblance exudes a mysterious lifestyle and nomadic existence from a segment of society that travels in the shadows of urban Europe. The use of bold sizes, shapes, media, color, patinas and finishes all blend together to project Stoian’s history which mimics that of his subject mater. Born in a small, communal Bulgarian village, raised by working class parents, sketching and painting throughout his school years, progressing to the University of Poland where he gained an exceptional education in fine art as well as an opportunity to teach, and then traveling to the United States to pursue his love for the arts have greatly expanded his experiences, peaked his imagination and readied him for a position in modern art history.
Life and Work
Valkov was born in Ekzarch – Antimowo, Bulgaria, in 1957. He has lived in Poland since 1986 where he studied at the Institute of Fine Arts of Maria Curie Sklodowska – University of Lublin, Poland in years of 1987-1992 and in 1992 he received the Master of Art’s degree in painting and sculpture.
After graduating, he was employed at the University as a faculty member. Simultaneously, he worked in the Lublin’s Welding Works where he started to create new cycles of sculpture using his own welding techniques. Cycles of monumental sculptures made of steel, bronze, cast iron, and plaster models were produced. They provided inspiration to 43 works of art (portraits, busts, personages, and sculpture composition).
About
Stoian – Atanasov Valkov creates an artist’s interpretation of the “Fate of the Gypsy” through a collection of sculptures, paintings, reliefs, drawings and sketches. Each unique resemblance exudes a mysterious lifestyle and nomadic existence from a segment of society that travels in the shadows of urban Europe. The use of bold sizes, shapes, media, color, patinas and finishes all blend together to project Stoian’s history which mimics that of his subject mater. Born in a small, communal Bulgarian village, raised by working class parents, sketching and painting throughout his school years, progressing to the University of Poland where he gained an exceptional education in fine art as well as an opportunity to teach, and then traveling to the United States to pursue his love for the arts have greatly expanded his experiences, peaked his imagination and readied him for a position in modern art history.
Life and Work
Valkov was born in Ekzarch – Antimowo, Bulgaria, in 1957. He has lived in Poland since 1986 where he studied at the Institute of Fine Arts of Maria Curie Sklodowska – University of Lublin, Poland in years of 1987-1992 and in 1992 he received the Master of Art’s degree in painting and sculpture.
After graduating, he was employed at the University as a faculty member. Simultaneously, he worked in the Lublin’s Welding Works where he started to create new cycles of sculpture using his own welding techniques. Cycles of monumental sculptures made of steel, bronze, cast iron, and plaster models were produced. They provided inspiration to 43 works of art (portraits, busts, personages, and sculpture composition).
The most significant exhibitions to the date:
Painting Exhibition, Museum Szydlowiec, Poland (1994)