_PNG.png){kind=small}
Kaloyan Ivanov
BULGARIA
_p.png)
“My work is a visceral response to time and place.”
Kaloyan’s inspiration for a composition could be something intimate or something far removed from the artist. Kaloyan works in series — developing compositions that share the same visual problems of color and form. One recurring visual problem that the painter plays with is figure-ground ambiguity. The play that occurs when a shape can be read as an ambiguous object and also as a field of color creates a space where the viewer’s imagination can create the melody and rhythm of a painting. The artist welcomes this multiplicity of meaning within his work.
Le bonheur de vivre #1 | Acrylic
$900
I started the "Le bonheur de vivre" series in Long Island City, New York in 2016.
Kaloyan’s paintings from a given series could be enjoyed as individual pieces and as a whole installation with each painting supporting and filling in the longing of another painting while telling a story: the story of drawing and painting. Within each series the painter explores memories of feelings which results in ideas of automatic drawing and color interactions. The initial ideas are worked on with hundreds of variations before Kaloyan decides to commit to an idea.
Le bonheur de vivre #2 | Acrylic
$900
The "Le bonheur de vivre" series was finished in the autumn of 2021 in Sofia, Bulgaria.
The time that his paintings take to develop and become resolved varies: some paintings take a few hours while others take years. The materials Kaloyan employs are pencil, ink, watercolor, gouache and acrylic. His technique in utilizing those materials is intuitive. What on the surface looks like an acrylic painting most likely started out as a pencil, charcoal and ink drawing.
“The rich history of abstraction inspires me to discover surprising visual tension on the surface.”
Within the journey of drawing and painting, Kaloyan pursues pure abstraction. Often, he works on unfinished paintings from an older series. Responses tied to a particular memory change and so do the paintings attached to those feelings —especially when a series is revisited years after it was started. Other times, a new memory might be superimposed onto an old image, changing the overall composition and mood of the initial idea.
Le bonheur de vivre #3 | Acrylic
$900
"Le bonheur de vivre" is a conversation of memories of who different periods of my life.
The Howard Buchwald lectures on Matisse's masterpiece "Le bonheur de vivre" made a great impression in my visual thinking.
Le bonheur de vivre #4 | Acrylic
$900
The problems he faces while working with paper is how and when to let its personality show. Using pure color on handmade paper is an exciting sensation and challenge for Kaloyan! The artist fell in love with handmade paper at New York Central, an art store located in the heart of Manhattan with a history spanning more than a hundred years. New York Central supplied many of the great New York artists with materials and for Kaloyan the art store holds an emotional place in his heart.
“My visual meditations on time and place, being refracted trough abstraction and color interaction, aim to provoke a pure feeling in the viewer.”
“I am fascinated by the properties of paper as a medium of adventure and discovery.”
Unfortunately, the historic art store closed down a few years ago, which left many artists without quality art supplies near them studios. New York Central housed one of the largest selections of handmade paper from around the globe on its second floor.
Le bonheur de vivre #5 | Acrylic
$900
Many great moments with friends by the sea was the engine of feeling folded into the series "Le bonheur de vivre"
Kaloyan recalls the magic during his first visit to New York Central. He was able, for the first time in his life, to see and touch so many amazing papers. After that moment he decided to work exclusively on handmade paper. Kaloyan was inspired to move to New York, because of the first-generation Abstract Expressionists. In his twenties, the artist painted in the all-over painting style made famous by painters such as Jackson Pollock. Later on, his work became object oriented inspired by Frank Stella.
Le bonheur de vivre #6 | Acrylic
$900
The feeling of the painting on handmade paper is one of my favorite sensations.
Currently the artist makes small scale abstract paintings on handmade paper, which is a practice that he started a decade ago. His current style is influenced by his mentor Howard Buchwald with whom Kaloyan studied at Pratt Institute. Even though Kaloyan’s colors seem to have an upbeat feeling, there is a certain economy to his works.
The conversation between the painted edge and the edge of the handmade paper is important to me.
Le bonheur de vivre #7 | Acrylic
$900
“The painter limits his expressive means to a modest surface with minimal language.”
Le bonheur de vivre #8 | Acrylic
$900
Using the constant shape (the circle) and color (magenta, cyan, cool hansa yellow) lets me explore different spaces within the act of painting.
The artist recalls the changes in Bulgaria after the fall of the communism where resourcefulness was at the basis of the daily life of Bulgarians. Kaloyan remembers his grandparents creating tasty food with limited produce. This resourcefulness is the grounds in contemplating the richness of few colors and the infinite possibilities of a limited palette in the artist’s work.
The circle as a stage for painting hints at a gravity-less visual space.
Le bonheur de vivre #1 | Acrylic
$900
Two painters that inspire Kaloyan’s work currently are Etel Adnan and Thomas Nozkowski. They prove that the power of an image is not proportional to its size.
Le bonheur de vivre #10 | Acrylic
$900
The joy of life is within the viewer.
“Abstraction excites me and inspires me to look forward to discovery and freshness in the genre.”
Not a solo artist yet? Subscribe to our solo exhibitions at TERAVARNA and share your art with the world!