Valentin Bakardjiev

ARTIST STATEMENT

As an artist I have always been inspired by cultures from around the world with the intention and ambition to connect them and show the world as a unity without borders. Within my work, I search for new and different ways to apply ancient techniques and crafts to create contemporary art that connects the past with the present.

I was living and working in Bulgaria, Norway, the Dominican Republic, Italy (Milan) and now holding residency in The Netherlands (Amsterdam). In my career so far, I had numerous solo and group exhibitions in Amsterdam, Paris, Geneva, Milan, Sofia and Chicago amongst others.
My work fuses traditional with the contemporary and The East with the West back together. Different Eras and communities in the world have in common that they all represent their local knowledge, customs and beauty in their own way. As they inspire me to make artistic research and work, I feel a responsibility to give something in return. Therefore, my work focuses on showing how cultures are connected by their effort of binding people, nature and artifacts together, making our planet a united place.
Using natural, recycled and upcycled materials (even from my previous projects), and applying ancient crafts is put...

COURSES AND EDUCATION
2020 New York University-J.M. Tisch, NYU Hospitality and Tourism Industry Essentials
2017 Amsterdam Museum Academy – Hospitality 2
1989 Dimitar Dobrovitch High School of Arts - Sliven Bulgaria

SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2023 El Camino - The Road at the Embassy of Mexico, with the support from the Embassy of Bulgaria, Den Haag, the Netherlands
2023 El Aumento – The Expand - Rakursi Art Gallery, Sofia, Bulgaria
2023 INDIGO - The Mission gallery- State Institute for Culture, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sofia, Bulgaria
2022 The Butterfly Effect- Journey, Art Gallery Serdica, Sofia, Bulgaria
2022 Le Grand Bleu- New Horizons, Contrast Gallery, Sofia, Bulgaria
2020 The Butterfly Effect, Gallery Amstel 41, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
2019 Salon Presentation, Genèva, Switzerland
2018 Le Grand Bleu, Gallery Amstel 41, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
2017 Amsterdam Denim Days- Le Grand Bleu, Westergasfabriek, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
2009 The Nature, Barneveld, The Netherlands
2008 Galerie Sir Jacobs, Tegelen, The Netherlands
2008 Gallery Irida, Sofia, Bulgaria
2005 Gallery Bojadiev, Burgas, Bulgaria
2004 and 2005 Artegabriella gallery, Busto Arsizio, Milan, Italy
2001 Secrets Excellence - Dominican Republic
1999 and 2000 Gallery # 5 Chicago, USA
1997 Draka gallery, Sofia, Bulgaria
1993 and 1995 Mai gallery, Sliven, Bulgaria