Exhibition of Artwork by Late Bulgarian Painter Dechko Uzunov on Display at Bulgarian Cultural Institute in Berlin

An exhibition of works by late Bulgarian artist Dechko Uzunov opened at the Bulgarian Cultural Institute in Berlin on May 24. Titled “Dechko Uzunov: Travel Notes”, the exhibition features sketches, drawings, and watercolour paintings inspired by Uzunov’s travels from the early days of his career to the end of his life. The opening of the exhibition was accompanied by a concert by pianist Philip Angelov, Bulgarian Cultural Institute Director Borislav Petranov said.

“It was very emotional. The coupling of the art of genius artist Dechko Uzunov with the art of the young, exceptionally gifted pianist Philip Angelov brought the audience of Germans and Bulgarians in the packed hall of the Bulgarian Cultural Institute in Berlin to a state of euphoria,” said Petranov.

One of Bulgaria’s greatest masters of painting, Uzunov was born in 1899 and died in 1986. During his career, had served as president of the International Association of the Plastic Arts at UNESCO in Paris, and represented Bulgaria at the Venice Biennale in 1942, 1948, and 1964. Uzunov had solo exhibitions in Belgrade, Bucharest, Budapest, Moscow, Paris, Basel, Munich, Kuwait City, and Beijing. 

Pianist Philip Angelov was born in November 2011 in Sofia and took up music at the age of six. He had his first performance on an international stage in 2021. Angelov holds two Grand Prix awards and over ten first prizes at European and international competitions, and in 2022 he had his first solo concert.

On display at the Institute until June 20 will be works by Uzunov scribbled with pencil, pen, and felt-tip pen on single pieces of paper, in notebooks and sketchbooks. Many of them later developed into larger sized drawings, watercolors, or oil paintings.

“Certain places and cultures have left a strong impression on the artist, which has led to the emergence of a rich and diverse narrative of nature, architecture, people, and events,” Petranov said prior to the opening of the exhibition, which is dedicated to the 125th birth anniversary and is part of a series of exhibitions that the Sofia City Art Gallery has prepared to mark the anniversary in 2024.

Apart from Europe, Asia, and North America, the artist constantly traveled around Bulgaria. He was fascinated by sub-Balkan towns and mountains such as Rila, Pirin, and the Rhodopes with their typical architecture and nature, rivers and lakes, as well as the Black Sea coast and its port towns rich in history such as Nessebar, Balchik, Sozopol, Kaliakra, Petranov said. He added that “people are rarely found in these landscapes, and when they are, they are of little significance to the artist, mere figures and silhouettes”. 

The event at the Bulgarian Cultural Institute was also dedicated to the 145th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Bulgaria and Germany and was held under the auspices of Bulgarian Ambassador in Berlin Grigor Porozhanov.