Irina Taneva

Irina Taneva is an internationally recognised artist, art teacher, and designer whose practice investigates the emotional space between observation and imagination. With a Master of Art and dual BAs in Art Teaching and Fashion Design—earned through studies at UAL Central Saint Martins in London and the National Academy of Arts in Sofia—I have developed a multidisciplinary approach that blends fine art, design thinking, and a lifelong commitment to creativity. My works are held in museum and private collections around the world.
My artistic journey began with highly realistic oil paintings. Over time, I became increasingly drawn to the expressive possibilities beyond representation, gradually shifting into abstract realism. This transition opened the door to a more intuitive, emotional, and layered way of working. Today, I create primarily in mixed media, combining oil, acrylics, collage, and intuitive mark-making to build textured surfaces that echo the complexity of inner experience. I paint with palette knives more than brushes—constructing forms through bold, sculptural colour.
A defining aspect of my practice is my commitment to working in collections. Perhaps influenced by my fashion design background and the rhythm of seasona...

2016 Fashion Design and Marketing, UAL, London

2011 Master’s Degree, National Academy of Art, Sofia

2024 Exhibition with Prodan Tanev, The Winning Gallery, London

2023 “Colourful Voyage”, oil on canvas, Cass Art Space, London

2022 “Dancing Tulips”, oil on canvas, Cass Art Space, London

2017 “Aquarius”, oil on canvas, “Sofia” Galley, BCI London

2012 “Abstractionism and realism”, oil on canvas, Gallery “iRi.F”

2008 “Colours”, oil on canvas, City Historical Museum, Bulgaria