Houses of the Holy Sculpture

Lachezar Dochev is one of the few glass artists in Bulgaria. Wishing to work in this barely known field of the arts, he received his education in the Latvian Academy of Arts graduating the 2 available master studios: stained glass and 2 dimensional art; and glass design & sculpture. After 7 years of education in 1999 returned home where his studio was already known. Among the many commissions he has completed in his country are a subsidiary of the Bulgarian National Bank and a church from 17 century – a National Cultural Heritage. In 2003 he received a full scholarship for M. Gaudet's class at Pilchuck Glass School and in 2004 another full scholarship for R. Posner's class in North Lands Creative Glass in Scotland. Same year was a TA for the first time – for J. Walentynovicz at Pilchuck, and in 2005 TA for M. Gaudet at Pilchuck again. In February 2005 taught his own workshop at Richmond College in London followed by demonstrations in other schools in the UK. Lachezar regularly participates in international glass events – symposiums, festivals, demonstrations, etc… all around Europe, along with solo and group exhibitions. In October 2003 he won the award for best young artist at the WERU competition in Rudersberg, Germany and 2 years after took the 1st prize at the same competition. He co-organized of the first International Festival of Glass in Bulgaria – October, 2010. In 2014 was awarded for best sculpture at the National Competition of the Union of Bulgarian Artists sponsored by “Alianz” Insurance Company. His works are part of the permanent collections of Bulgarian Culture Institutes in Wien and Prague and the Museum of Glass in Riga as well as in other public and private collections in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Latvia, Luxembourg, Russia, Sweden, Ukraine, UK, USA. ARTIST STATEMENT In art I always look for the drama, the conflict, the counterpoint and the culmination.