French artist Marion Safrioin visits Sofia
On March 31, 2025, a meeting-presentation with the French artist from Marseille, Marion Safrioin, was held at the "Mission" gallery at the State Institute for Culture. The event is part of the Visionary Foundation's artist residency program, which continues with the opening of the artist's solo exhibition on April 2, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. at the Depoo Gallery.
During the discussion, the challenges and opportunities facing young artists in contemporary visual art in Marseille were discussed.
"Art is a language without borders. It is an honor for me to be here and share my creative path with the Bulgarian audience. Sofia and Marseille have a rich cultural history that deserves to be intertwined through art." - shared the artist.
Marion Safrioin lives and works in Marseille, where she has her own studio and is the curator of Urban Gallery, a dynamic space for contemporary art and artistic collaborations. There she organizes creative workshops and exhibitions that connect local and international artists. As an artist, her works are often inspired by the interaction between the urban environment and nature, by the colors and textures that coexist in everyday life.
“The upcoming exhibition in Sofia is a reflection of movement – both in space and within ourselves. Sofia gave me a new perspective on the forms and layers that I use. Meetings with the people here, the rhythm of the city and its light left a strong mark on my latest works.”
The Director of the State Institute for Culture, Ms. Snezhana Yoveva-Dimitrova, opened the discussion and emphasized the significance of such artistic exchanges for the development of cultural diplomacy. She wished the artist success and inspiration during her stay in Sofia and presented her with the album “Genko Genkov: Beyond the Visible – 100 Years of the Artist’s Birth”. The co-founder of the Visionary Foundation, Delyana Angelova, also welcomed the guests and told more about the project.
Among the guests were diplomats, students and lovers of contemporary art, as well as Gergana Tabakova – the Bulgarian artist who is part of this exchange and who will travel to Marseille in October this year, where she will present her works and exchange experiences with local artists.
The project was implemented with the support of the National Culture Fund, Mobility Program, in partnership with the National Academy of Arts, Depoo Gallery and Bohemingway Atelier. The event is part of the program of the State Institute for Culture celebrating the month of Francophonie.