Svetlin Kolev

Svetlin Kolev – Painting Light and Silence

Svetlin Kolev is a contemporary Bulgarian artist whose painting is distinguished by deep emotional resonance, expressive light, and contemplative silence. Working primarily with oil paint and pastel, he creates artworks that do more than decorate a space — they transform it, turning it into a place for inner dialogue and reflection.

His work exists at the threshold between the visible world and inner experience. Rather than offering a literal narrative, his paintings convey a state of being — moments of stillness, tension, or light, captured through carefully balanced compositions. Light in Kolev’s work is not an effect but a central presence — shaping forms, suggesting depth, and guiding the viewer’s gaze.

Artistic Signature

Kolev’s work is marked by a clearly recognizable style:

a restrained yet powerful color palette

a strong contrast between light and shadow, reminiscent of classical chiaroscuro

narrative minimalism combined with high emotional density

His paintings often leave space for interpretation, making them enduringly compelling for collectors — works that do not exhaust themselves at first glance but continue to reveal new layers over time.

For Collectors and Patrons
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In 1997 he graduates from the High School of Art "Tzanko Lavrenov" - speciality Art of painting.
In 2005 he graduates in POII and Art of painting from Academy of Music Dance and Fine Art.

2003-2004 - Participations in common exhibitions in Union of Plovdiv Artists gallery.
2004-2005 - Participations in common exhibitions in "The red pony" Plovdiv.
2007 - Exhibition with Kiril Ivanov in "Boviel" Plovdiv.
2008 - Exhibition with Milen Siromashki in "Balabanov's house" Plovdiv.
2009 - Exhibition with D. Shopov, D. Shatrovski, I. Gardeva, I. Dimitrov, K. Ivanov, V. Dimchev, V. Iankova in City gallery Plovdiv.
2009 - Exhibition with with Aleksandra Gabrovska and Dimitar Chonov in Peshtera.
2010 - Exhibition with Joana Tanasescu in club "Morocco" Plovdiv.
2011 - Exhibition in "Mexican graphics" Plovdiv.
2012 - Exhibition with Irina Gardeva in library club "Aleko Konstantinov" Plovdiv.
2017 – Exhibition with Kiril Ivanov in City Gallery Plovdiv.
2021 – Exhibition in City Gallery Plovdiv.
2023 – Exhibition in “Red Pony” Plovdiv.
2024 – Exhibition in “Maria Luiza” Plovdiv
2025 – Exhibition in “Marina Franzetti” gallery Plovdiv