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Working almost exclusively with graphite on paper, Denitsa Todorova creates an abstract world of soft strokes in shades of black and grey. With a unique approach to her medium, she offers the viewer a veil, a passage to myriad possible meanings and dialogues, bound to trigger one’s imagination.
The artist has discovered for herself an inverted technique: first, she completely covers her paper in graphite powder. Then, she carefully starts erasing this black surface, so that a meticulously crafted image appears. ‘The results of my work might seem abstract and filled with coincidences, but for me they are really structured. I have a clear vision in my mind of what the image will look like, and I have to be very careful not to erase too much or too little. It’s a very time-consuming practice.’ There is space for a playful element in the shape of the paper, which is determined in advance, but is not necessarily cut off straight. This gives the final work a strongly individual, structural character.
The spiral has been a prominent character in Denitsa’s work, as it is, for her, a symbol of many things: ‘It’s really a key to what I have to say. It’s a symbol of eternity, it repeats itself endlessly. Still now, most of my works feature a spiral.’ Recently, however, her attention has shifted from a geometric universe to natural environments: ‘My greatest source remains the light.’
Whereas the spiral would reflect a kind of metaphysical light, maybe from another galaxy, the current works are closer to nature: they evoke the way light can touch and dance on water, or the manner in which it playfully drops through leaves in a forest. Light can also be considered a metaphor for Denitsa’s method: she gradually erases small parts of a completely blackened surface, thus letting the light in through cracks in the darkness.
Specks of light are coming through the graphite curtain. What you see behind it, is open for interpretation. It could be related to your deepest desires. ‘A lot of different associations can be made with my work. Some people seem to recognize landscapes they know, even cities or maps. A drawing of water can also look like marble. It is very important to me that the viewer finds some kind of attraction, a strong emotion in my works.’
The creations are ambiguous: on the one hand, Denitsa shapes this new reality of extreme beauty, often based on her memory of a place or an image. On the other hand, it doesn’t really exist. She says: ‘I want to take viewers by the hand and lead them into this new reality. I create landscapes, both as a visual reality, and as a space where you could meet with your emotions.’ In other words, they are not so much non-existent, as they are an extension of the internal reflections of the viewer.
There is a lot of freedom in these newly found landscapes. They could be seen as a new dimension, a metaphysical space, as a form of escapism or as a mental space only the viewer can enter. ‘Every work comes to life in this triangle between me, the work itself, and the viewer,’ says the artist. The viewer and the activation of their imagination is the key to meaning in her work. Just as she finds a limitless freedom of expression in creating these landscapes, the viewer is free to experiment with attaching associations and meanings to them.
Generously created solely for the viewer to be absorbed by it, the free spaces transport you to new and different dimensions of beauty. As French poet and philosopher Paul Valéry put it: ‘Freedom is one of those hateful words that are worth more than meaning’ – assigning to it a greater value than any meaning can give it. The full value of freedom cannot really be put into words, it is a meaning in itself. It is one of the many meanings that can be found in Denitsa’s works: the freedom to imagine a space, and to, in that space, be free.
Text written by Tamara Beheydt
The artist has discovered for herself an inverted technique: first, she completely covers her paper in graphite powder. Then, she carefully starts erasing this black surface, so that a meticulously crafted image appears. ‘The results of my work might seem abstract and filled with coincidences, but for me they are really structured. I have a clear vision in my mind of what the image will look like, and I have to be very careful not to erase too much or too little. It’s a very time-consuming practice.’ There is space for a playful element in the shape of the paper, which is determined in advance, but is not necessarily cut off straight. This gives the final work a strongly individual, structural character.
The spiral has been a prominent character in Denitsa’s work, as it is, for her, a symbol of many things: ‘It’s really a key to what I have to say. It’s a symbol of eternity, it repeats itself endlessly. Still now, most of my works feature a spiral.’ Recently, however, her attention has shifted from a geometric universe to natural environments: ‘My greatest source remains the light.’
Whereas the spiral would reflect a kind of metaphysical light, maybe from another galaxy, the current works are closer to nature: they evoke the way light can touch and dance on water, or the manner in which it playfully drops through leaves in a forest. Light can also be considered a metaphor for Denitsa’s method: she gradually erases small parts of a completely blackened surface, thus letting the light in through cracks in the darkness.
Specks of light are coming through the graphite curtain. What you see behind it, is open for interpretation. It could be related to your deepest desires. ‘A lot of different associations can be made with my work. Some people seem to recognize landscapes they know, even cities or maps. A drawing of water can also look like marble. It is very important to me that the viewer finds some kind of attraction, a strong emotion in my works.’
The creations are ambiguous: on the one hand, Denitsa shapes this new reality of extreme beauty, often based on her memory of a place or an image. On the other hand, it doesn’t really exist. She says: ‘I want to take viewers by the hand and lead them into this new reality. I create landscapes, both as a visual reality, and as a space where you could meet with your emotions.’ In other words, they are not so much non-existent, as they are an extension of the internal reflections of the viewer.
There is a lot of freedom in these newly found landscapes. They could be seen as a new dimension, a metaphysical space, as a form of escapism or as a mental space only the viewer can enter. ‘Every work comes to life in this triangle between me, the work itself, and the viewer,’ says the artist. The viewer and the activation of their imagination is the key to meaning in her work. Just as she finds a limitless freedom of expression in creating these landscapes, the viewer is free to experiment with attaching associations and meanings to them.
Generously created solely for the viewer to be absorbed by it, the free spaces transport you to new and different dimensions of beauty. As French poet and philosopher Paul Valéry put it: ‘Freedom is one of those hateful words that are worth more than meaning’ – assigning to it a greater value than any meaning can give it. The full value of freedom cannot really be put into words, it is a meaning in itself. It is one of the many meanings that can be found in Denitsa’s works: the freedom to imagine a space, and to, in that space, be free.
Text written by Tamara Beheydt
Artworks
Articles
Media
Highlights
Recommendations
Collections
Shows
Market position
CV
Shows
Market position
Denitsa has exhibited at numerous art fairs and galleries throughout Europe, including most recently Art Rotterdam (2018) and the STRABAG Art Foundation (2017). Her work has been recognized with various prizes, including the Recognition Award from STRABAG Art Award International (2017) and the Drawing Prize Ronse (2014 and 2015). She has also been nominated for multiple awards and honours, including the FID drawing prize Paris (2017) and the Art Contest 2016
CV
Training
2008 - 2010 Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp: Master in Painting
2005 - 2008 Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp: Bachelor in Painting
2005 Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp: Theatre costume
2002 - 2005 New Bulgarian University Sofia, Bulgaria: Bachelor of Stage Design
Exhibitions (solo and group, selection)
2022 (upcoming) Duo Show Denitsa Todorova & Nadia Naveau, Ballroom Gallery, Brussels
2021
Group show collectie Das + Dingenen, Cultuurcentrum Zwaneberg, Heist-op-den- Berg
#1, Ballroom Gallery, Brussels
Open Studio with presentation of editions, duo show Denitsa Todorova & Caroline Van den Eynden, Studio Denitsa Todorova, Antwerp
Artist talk with Philippe Van Cauteren and book launch, SMAK Museum Ghent
Artist talk, Documentary video, Let’s Talk Leuven, SLAC Leuven
Art Ghent, group show, curated by Ben Benaouisse, Ghent
Art Rotterdam, group show, DMW Gallery, Rotterdam, ,Netherlands
2020
Billboard project Antwerp, The quarantine edition 2020, Antwerp
Art Rotterdam, solo show, DMW Gallery, Rotterdam, Netherlands
Rhymes and Enantiomorphs, duo show with Stephan Balleux, DMW Gallery, Antwerp Art Rotterdam, solo show, Rotterdam, Netherlands
2019
Yesterday You Said Tomorrow, Art on Paper, solo show, Brussels The House of Art and Beauty, group show, Antwerp
Ballroom Project, group show, Antwerp TEKENING-DISEGNO, group show, Sint Niklaas
2018
As Far As My Eyes Can See, solo show, Rossi Comtemporary, Brussels Drawing Positions, fair, Munich
KRASJ Kunstbiënnale Ninove, group show, Ninove
1+1+1=3, group show w/ Caroline Van den Eynden and Dries Segers, DMW Gallery, Antwerp
Sensitive structures, solo show, CBK Zeeland, Middelburg
www.dmwgallery.be Koolstraat 15, 2140 Antwerp
Looking back while going forward, group show, DMW Gallery, Antwerp Art Rotterdam, group show, The White House Gallery, Lovenjoel
Like a Star above u, solo show STRABAG Art Foundation, Vienna, Austria
2017 2016
STRABAG Art Award, group show with five laureates, Vienna, Austria Voice in the wilderness, solo show, The White House Gallery, Lovenjoel
Future now, Extra City, Antwerp
Art Contest 2016, ADAM Museum, Brussels
Group show with Luc Coeckelberghs, Lore Vanelslande & Robin Vermeersch, Gallery EL, Welle
Open Studios 2016, Antwerp
Occasionele ontmoetingen, group show, Diest
Stone and a glass/Tongues of Fire, duo show, Denitsa Todorova invites Ada Van Hoorebeke, DMW Gallery, Antwerp
GOGOGOGO, group show, DMW Gallery, Antwerp
Billboard Project 2016, 4th edition: Antwerpen, Antwerp
A reality twist, The White House Gallery, Lovenjoel
EX SITE #1, Oudenaarde
Ronse Drawing Prize 2015, Ronse
LINE UP, Gent
OFF PAPER, Borg art biennale, Antwerp
DART, Mechelen
OPEN M, Attitude to Form, Museum M, Leuven Harelbeke Drawing Prize, Harelbeke
Belgian Politician, Marion De Cannière Gallery, Antwerp
Ronse Drawing Prize 2014, Ronse PARK, Borg art biennale, Antwerp Open Studios 2014, Antwerp Magma crowded, Antwerp
Time to Pretend, Leuven
Joy, solo show, Secret Kitchen Gallery, Temse
Lomea 2011, City Gallery, Ruse, Bulgaria
Tattoo your name across my heart, group show, Museumnacht, Antwerp Temporary Limits, PARK, Ekeren
Wish I never met you, solo show, 4VIEW, Antwerp
MIX media, RA, Antwerp
CANVAS Collectie 2010, BOZAR, Brussels
MASTER-MAQUETTE, Verbeke Foundation, Kemzeke
Master programme expo, Koninklijke Academie van Schone Kunsten, Antwerp Kotroute 2009, AmuseeVous, Antwerp
www.dmwgallery.be Koolstraat 15, 2140 Antwerp
Green Cat Gallery, Dalheim, Luxemburg
Festival for Contemporary Art, Sofia Underground, Sofia, Bulgaria
Awards & nominations
2017 Recognition Award, STRABAG ArtAward International, Vienna, Austria; FID Drawing Prize, Top 23 finalist, Paris, France
2016 Art Contest 2016, Top 10 finalist, ADAM Museum, Brussels 2015 Drawing Prize Ronse 2015, First Laureate, Ronse
2014 Drawing Prize Ronse 2014, Second Laureate, Ronse
2010 Prize Piet Van Engelen, Stad Antwerpen, Antwerp
2010 Artistieke Stichting Mathilde Horlait-Dapsens (nominated) 2010 KBC Prijs (nominated)
2010 CANVAS Collectie, BOZAR, Brussels (category ‘Young talent’) 2007 2nd laureate Indig*o! painting competition, Meise
Media & publications
2021 Monograph Phosphenes (Seeing Stars), Stockmans Art Books, Belgium
2020 Choice of art works Kunst aan Zet by curator Stef Van Bellingen, Magazine Art Couch Book contribution, You must understand that we lived in an atmosphere of euphoria, youth and enthusiasm that can hardly be imagined today, Marc Van Runxt, Kunst/ Werk, Antwerpen
Book contribution, 25 Years Strabag Art Collection and Foundation, Vienna, Austria Artist talk: Denitsa Todorova, SLAC/Beeldende & Audiovisuele Kunst
Citta, Artistieke lockdown: 5 jonge Antwerpse kunstenaars om te volgen, Gazet Van Antwerpen, 21 May
2020-2021 Various articles on artist’s works in Belgian private collections, De Morgen, Sabato – De Tijd, Gallery Viewer website
2019 Various articles on solo show ‘Yesterday you said tomorrow’, DMW Gallery, Art on paper, Bozar, Brussels: BeauxARTS Magazine, Collect Magazine, La Libre Magazine, HART Magazine, BoomBartStic Art Magazine Brussels
2018 Mu in the City, Brussels, online article on solo show ‘As far as my eyes can see’, Rossi Contemporary, Brussels
2018 Ronse Stad Magazine, cover + interview on occasion of 50 years Ronse Drawing Prize 2018 Artmagazine CC Vienna, article on solo show ‘Like a star above you’, Strabag
Kunstforum
2018 ‘Sensitive structures’, CBKZeeland, wall drawing, exhibition catalogue
www.dmwgallery.be Koolstraat 15, 2140 Antwerp
2018 ‘As far as my eyes can see’, Rossi Contemporary, Brussels, exhibition catalogue
2017 Strabag Kunstforum, Strabag art award exhibition catalogue, Vienna, Austria
2017 HART Magazine, online article on Strabag art award
2017 HART Magazine, article on show ‘Voice in the wilderness’, The White House Gallery,
Leuven, Belgium
2017 ‘Voice in the wilderness’, exhibition catalogue
2016 ART Contest 12th edition (prize for contemporary art) exhibition catalogue
2016 HART Magazine, article on show ‘A Reality Twist’, The White House Gallery, Leuven,
Belgium
2015 ‘OPEN M, Attitude to Form’, exhibition catalogue, Museum M, Leuven 2014 Gazet van Antwerpen, article on occasion of Open Studios 2014
2013 ‘Time to Pretend’, exhibition catalogue, Leuven
2011 ‘Tattoo your name across my heart’, art book (limited edition of 100)
2008 - 2010 Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp: Master in Painting
2005 - 2008 Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp: Bachelor in Painting
2005 Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp: Theatre costume
2002 - 2005 New Bulgarian University Sofia, Bulgaria: Bachelor of Stage Design
Exhibitions (solo and group, selection)
2022 (upcoming) Duo Show Denitsa Todorova & Nadia Naveau, Ballroom Gallery, Brussels
2021
Group show collectie Das + Dingenen, Cultuurcentrum Zwaneberg, Heist-op-den- Berg
#1, Ballroom Gallery, Brussels
Open Studio with presentation of editions, duo show Denitsa Todorova & Caroline Van den Eynden, Studio Denitsa Todorova, Antwerp
Artist talk with Philippe Van Cauteren and book launch, SMAK Museum Ghent
Artist talk, Documentary video, Let’s Talk Leuven, SLAC Leuven
Art Ghent, group show, curated by Ben Benaouisse, Ghent
Art Rotterdam, group show, DMW Gallery, Rotterdam, ,Netherlands
2020
Billboard project Antwerp, The quarantine edition 2020, Antwerp
Art Rotterdam, solo show, DMW Gallery, Rotterdam, Netherlands
Rhymes and Enantiomorphs, duo show with Stephan Balleux, DMW Gallery, Antwerp Art Rotterdam, solo show, Rotterdam, Netherlands
2019
Yesterday You Said Tomorrow, Art on Paper, solo show, Brussels The House of Art and Beauty, group show, Antwerp
Ballroom Project, group show, Antwerp TEKENING-DISEGNO, group show, Sint Niklaas
2018
As Far As My Eyes Can See, solo show, Rossi Comtemporary, Brussels Drawing Positions, fair, Munich
KRASJ Kunstbiënnale Ninove, group show, Ninove
1+1+1=3, group show w/ Caroline Van den Eynden and Dries Segers, DMW Gallery, Antwerp
Sensitive structures, solo show, CBK Zeeland, Middelburg
www.dmwgallery.be Koolstraat 15, 2140 Antwerp
Looking back while going forward, group show, DMW Gallery, Antwerp Art Rotterdam, group show, The White House Gallery, Lovenjoel
Like a Star above u, solo show STRABAG Art Foundation, Vienna, Austria
2017 2016
STRABAG Art Award, group show with five laureates, Vienna, Austria Voice in the wilderness, solo show, The White House Gallery, Lovenjoel
Future now, Extra City, Antwerp
Art Contest 2016, ADAM Museum, Brussels
Group show with Luc Coeckelberghs, Lore Vanelslande & Robin Vermeersch, Gallery EL, Welle
Open Studios 2016, Antwerp
Occasionele ontmoetingen, group show, Diest
Stone and a glass/Tongues of Fire, duo show, Denitsa Todorova invites Ada Van Hoorebeke, DMW Gallery, Antwerp
GOGOGOGO, group show, DMW Gallery, Antwerp
Billboard Project 2016, 4th edition: Antwerpen, Antwerp
A reality twist, The White House Gallery, Lovenjoel
EX SITE #1, Oudenaarde
Ronse Drawing Prize 2015, Ronse
LINE UP, Gent
OFF PAPER, Borg art biennale, Antwerp
DART, Mechelen
OPEN M, Attitude to Form, Museum M, Leuven Harelbeke Drawing Prize, Harelbeke
Belgian Politician, Marion De Cannière Gallery, Antwerp
Ronse Drawing Prize 2014, Ronse PARK, Borg art biennale, Antwerp Open Studios 2014, Antwerp Magma crowded, Antwerp
Time to Pretend, Leuven
Joy, solo show, Secret Kitchen Gallery, Temse
Lomea 2011, City Gallery, Ruse, Bulgaria
Tattoo your name across my heart, group show, Museumnacht, Antwerp Temporary Limits, PARK, Ekeren
Wish I never met you, solo show, 4VIEW, Antwerp
MIX media, RA, Antwerp
CANVAS Collectie 2010, BOZAR, Brussels
MASTER-MAQUETTE, Verbeke Foundation, Kemzeke
Master programme expo, Koninklijke Academie van Schone Kunsten, Antwerp Kotroute 2009, AmuseeVous, Antwerp
www.dmwgallery.be Koolstraat 15, 2140 Antwerp
Green Cat Gallery, Dalheim, Luxemburg
Festival for Contemporary Art, Sofia Underground, Sofia, Bulgaria
Awards & nominations
2017 Recognition Award, STRABAG ArtAward International, Vienna, Austria; FID Drawing Prize, Top 23 finalist, Paris, France
2016 Art Contest 2016, Top 10 finalist, ADAM Museum, Brussels 2015 Drawing Prize Ronse 2015, First Laureate, Ronse
2014 Drawing Prize Ronse 2014, Second Laureate, Ronse
2010 Prize Piet Van Engelen, Stad Antwerpen, Antwerp
2010 Artistieke Stichting Mathilde Horlait-Dapsens (nominated) 2010 KBC Prijs (nominated)
2010 CANVAS Collectie, BOZAR, Brussels (category ‘Young talent’) 2007 2nd laureate Indig*o! painting competition, Meise
Media & publications
2021 Monograph Phosphenes (Seeing Stars), Stockmans Art Books, Belgium
2020 Choice of art works Kunst aan Zet by curator Stef Van Bellingen, Magazine Art Couch Book contribution, You must understand that we lived in an atmosphere of euphoria, youth and enthusiasm that can hardly be imagined today, Marc Van Runxt, Kunst/ Werk, Antwerpen
Book contribution, 25 Years Strabag Art Collection and Foundation, Vienna, Austria Artist talk: Denitsa Todorova, SLAC/Beeldende & Audiovisuele Kunst
Citta, Artistieke lockdown: 5 jonge Antwerpse kunstenaars om te volgen, Gazet Van Antwerpen, 21 May
2020-2021 Various articles on artist’s works in Belgian private collections, De Morgen, Sabato – De Tijd, Gallery Viewer website
2019 Various articles on solo show ‘Yesterday you said tomorrow’, DMW Gallery, Art on paper, Bozar, Brussels: BeauxARTS Magazine, Collect Magazine, La Libre Magazine, HART Magazine, BoomBartStic Art Magazine Brussels
2018 Mu in the City, Brussels, online article on solo show ‘As far as my eyes can see’, Rossi Contemporary, Brussels
2018 Ronse Stad Magazine, cover + interview on occasion of 50 years Ronse Drawing Prize 2018 Artmagazine CC Vienna, article on solo show ‘Like a star above you’, Strabag
Kunstforum
2018 ‘Sensitive structures’, CBKZeeland, wall drawing, exhibition catalogue
www.dmwgallery.be Koolstraat 15, 2140 Antwerp
2018 ‘As far as my eyes can see’, Rossi Contemporary, Brussels, exhibition catalogue
2017 Strabag Kunstforum, Strabag art award exhibition catalogue, Vienna, Austria
2017 HART Magazine, online article on Strabag art award
2017 HART Magazine, article on show ‘Voice in the wilderness’, The White House Gallery,
Leuven, Belgium
2017 ‘Voice in the wilderness’, exhibition catalogue
2016 ART Contest 12th edition (prize for contemporary art) exhibition catalogue
2016 HART Magazine, article on show ‘A Reality Twist’, The White House Gallery, Leuven,
Belgium
2015 ‘OPEN M, Attitude to Form’, exhibition catalogue, Museum M, Leuven 2014 Gazet van Antwerpen, article on occasion of Open Studios 2014
2013 ‘Time to Pretend’, exhibition catalogue, Leuven
2011 ‘Tattoo your name across my heart’, art book (limited edition of 100)
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