An exhibition of works by Bulgarian “classical” sculptors and artists working with ceramics, wood, etc., is on at Sredets gallery until 28 November. The reason why this exposition was put together is a book – “Artists talk”, with subtitle “77 interviews about Bulgarian sculpture”. Its author is Ivan Kanchev.

Ivan Kanchev graduated ceramics from the National Art Academy, he has taken part in dozens of national and international art forums, and every year mounts a solo exhibition. He describes his latest book as an encyclopedia of Bulgarian sculpture in all of its forms. He presented his remarkable book on 7 November at the opening of the exhibition.

Ivan Kanchev (left) at the opening of the exhibition

In order to garner information about the sculptors who are not our contemporaries, Ivan Kanchev met with heirs of theirs. He says that he had to meet with some of them several times, or with several people at a time to be able to put together the “overall picture”. He travelled 5,000 kms. to different towns and villages, went to dozens of studios, conducted hundreds of interviews.

“The book really is an encyclopedia, it is an encyclopedia in dialogue form because it contains the biographies of the artists, conversations with them, illustrations. It simply swelled. I endeavoured to create an authentic document, to create memories. It was no easy job, but I am glad I undertook this kind of study. Because it is one thing to read books, and quite another to go and meet the artists in their own studios and hear their point of view. I can now say that I know the intricacies of the processes taking place in Bulgarian sculpture and this has given me a lot as an artist. The book can be of help to all kinds of people - school-goers and university students, PhD students and even lecturers. There is no other source where all of these facts are to be found, compiled in a connected “network” that provides the full context of the creative processes analyzed. I can safely say I now have a comprehensive, “on-site” view of Bulgarian sculpture. To be an artist one needs to have accumulated layers of knowledge, especially in these dynamic times of innumerable information sources.”