The Young Lions

have been present at the global arena for a long long time. Only the young authors are left here. The reason is they need support. Really? If so, “young” is a sly form undermining, insulting and offensive to the true artist.

I made my way at the age of 24 at the largest for that time sculptural forum in Bulgaria -  open-air Triennial of Bulgarian sculpture and decorative arts. At the age of 26, Bulgarian Communist Party destroyed my solo exhibition. Until the age of 31 I created the works, which are now taught as the beginning of contemporary art in Bulgaria. At 36 I chaired the exceptional congresses of the UBA, where we sacked the imposed management and organization and created the new statutes of the UBA. At 42, club VarTna was established at my house, which cleared the way for free and literate conceptual creativity in the country ...

In the club the youngest member was 19, the oldest 55. We did not stick labels for age, sex, origin, formal education ... we had only two criteria - own creative contribution and clear public behavior. And everyone had the right of veto. Nobody ever felt the need to use it. For three consecutive years of national exhibitions VarTna and friends got at the openings more than 700 people LITERATE audience.

And what does the artistic rendition of a young author mean? Those whom I taught and supported, made their way at global forums, were reviewed in the New York Times, participated in prestigious university studies and won the international award for innovation. I regularly read professional information about some other artists I was happy to know - leaders in different areas of the arts. They are the young lions. I believe in them.

7-8 years ago when I was nominated in the USA for Academic and vice president of a world-renowned institute, I did not accept the nomination because I preferred activity than labels. One more reason was that I considered that I was not mature enough for that. I remained Chair of the Art of a global academy. This year, I made my way at the most exclusive market in the world. The mind is in the head, not in the years.

Now I will congratulate my Muse with the best orchestrated piece, I know.

She knows why :)

And there, young as that