Ivan Kostolov
40х40х10 cm, oil on canvas
Ivan Kostolov (born in 1972 in Plovdiv, Bulgaria) is a visual artist specializing in figurative painting. He studied scenography at the National Academy of Art, Sofia, then continued his studies in Germany at the Academy of Arts Mainz (1999–2001) and Städelschule in Frankfurt (2001–2006), completing a master’s class under Hermann Nitsch and Christa Neer. He later earned a PhD in painting from the National Academy of Art, Sofia (2012–2016) His paintings, influenced by the German tradition, feature a distinctive visual language—merging dreamlike realism with classical technique. His canvases often depict figures, fantastical imagery, and absurd juxtapositions—such as astronauts, dragons, and butterflies—that function as provocations, inviting reflection and emotional engagement.
He has held notable solo exhibitions including “Lettuce and Honey” in Bern (2017), “Contemporary Space” in Varna and Sofia (2014), and shows at the Bulgarian Cultural Institute in Berlin (2012). His 2011 solo exhibition at Gallery Aspect was hailed as a phenomenon in new Bulgarian painting. His works are part of significant public and private collections: European Parliament (Brussels), Sofia City Art Gallery, Allianz Bulgaria, Gaudenz B. Ruf (Zurich), Imago Mundi / Fondazione Benetton (Treviso), and the National Art Gallery in Sofia.
Website: kostolov.com
He has held notable solo exhibitions including “Lettuce and Honey” in Bern (2017), “Contemporary Space” in Varna and Sofia (2014), and shows at the Bulgarian Cultural Institute in Berlin (2012). His 2011 solo exhibition at Gallery Aspect was hailed as a phenomenon in new Bulgarian painting. His works are part of significant public and private collections: European Parliament (Brussels), Sofia City Art Gallery, Allianz Bulgaria, Gaudenz B. Ruf (Zurich), Imago Mundi / Fondazione Benetton (Treviso), and the National Art Gallery in Sofia.
Website: kostolov.com