Svilen Stefanov is one of the key figures on Bulgaria’s contemporary art scene. He is an artist, curator, critic, and ideologue of the Sofia-based artist group XXL, founded in 1994. This circle, immensely popular among the wider cultural community, art enthusiasts, and collectors, is associated with the eponymous Sofia gallery, which existed from 1996 to 2003 and without whose often controversial role Bulgarian art today would be unimaginable.
The present exhibition once again points to the conceptual ambiguity of the painted image. The artist uses text implanted directly into an apparently conventional painterly idiom—regardless of whether his subjects are talking human heads, heads of onion or garlic, or compositions in which devotees of a romantic sensibility bury the remains of conceptual art.
Svilen Stefanov uses text implanted directly into the language of painting. This is painting that is irresponsible and parodic. Like all members of XXL, Svilen Stefanov believes that the artist is free in art and fully aware of his practical social irresponsibility, which stems from the allure of his own perfect uselessness.
The exhibition will officially open on October 22, 2015 /Thursday/ at 6:30 p.m., Serdika Offices, 48 Sitnyakovo Blvd.
