Bulgarian-French exhibition in the Mission Gallery
17 September 2024 News
On 16 September 2024, the solo exhibition ‘Haute couture — Haute soudure’ by the world-renowned Bulgarian-French sculptor Zhivko Sedlarski was opened at the Mission Gallery of the State Cultural Institute under the Minister of Foreign Affairs. The exhibition showcased new works by the artist, who combines fashion and sculpture in a unique style, creating ‘fashion that doesn’t dress up’. Sedlarsky, called ‘the steel troubadour’, is one of the most famous Bulgarian sculptors in the world, with works on three continents — Europe, America and Asia, which are a real sensation in museums, galleries and public spaces. His sculptures are exhibited in eight Chinese museums, as well as in front of the iconic Zaha Hadid building in Antwerp, Belgium.
The event was opened by Snezhana Yoveva-Dimitrova, the Director of the State Committee for Culture, who welcomed the large audience and gave the floor to Deputy Minister Elena Shekerletova for an official welcome. In her speech, Deputy Minister Shekerletova stressed the importance of cultural events for bringing people closer and getting to know each other: ‘Exhibitions like this clearly show how powerful a tool art can be for exploration and rapprochement. Because the artist, who has chosen to be part of the French scene, living for years in Northern France, brings his Bulgarian tremors and emotions and recreates all this in his work, which surrounds us in the gallery. It is also important that with the exhibition we celebrate our Bulgarian-French diplomatic relations, which are 145 years old this year.’
Welcoming remarks were also made by H.E. Joël Meyer, Ambassador of France in Bulgaria, who emphasized the importance of the cultural exchange between Bulgaria and France. He pointed out that Zhivko Sedlarski's exhibition is the first event in a series of initiatives organized by the Embassy of France and the French Cultural Institute, dedicated to the 145th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, which is celebrated in 2024. Art historian Professor Boris Danailov expressed his admiration for Sedlarski's work, noting the deep connection between fine art and fashion embedded in his sculptures. Albena Nenkova, the main initiator of the event and author of the trilingual catalogue of the same name, shared her emotional impressions in the process of working with the artist Sedlarski, and the artist himself told about the inspirations behind the creation of his works.
The exhibition ‘Haute couture — Haute soudure’ is the culmination of Sedlarsky's long-standing research on the theme of woman as a symbol of energy, strength and grace. The artist, who has lived in France for many years, is inspired by the fashion shows in Paris, Milan and New York, and through his sculptures expresses the dualistic nature of the feminine essence - both gentle and strong. Sedlarsky's works unite refined minimalism and a sense of movement. They are made of a variety of materials including metal, bronze, wood and granite.
The trilingual catalogue ‘Haute couture — Haute soudure, Zivko Sedlarski, ART’ was also presented during the opening and was available to the public during the exhibition.
The event is supported by the Embassy of France in Bulgaria and the French Cultural Institute, and the Bulgarian Telegraph Agency is a media partner. The exhibition can be visited until 4 October 2024, Monday to Friday, between 10:00 and 17:00, at the Mission Gallery.
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