Melania Toma was the international resident who transformed the space of Sarieva/Gallery in October of 2022. During her stay she created works inspired by the local traditions. Here’s what she had to say about the experience:

My dialogue with Sarieva / Gallery was very interesting. Spending time away from my studio in London I had the opportunity to explore new sides of my work. That opened up quite interesting results around especially notions of memory and space.

In Plovdiv, I found fertile ground for my research. I was exploring proto-Bulgarian symbology with a focus on the Great Goddess. I was fascinated by the combination of this figure merging together with the “tree of life” symbols in traditional tapestries.

During my field research, I investigated this eminent symbology to recreate a link between hallowed caves, holy stones, and savvy tools created by mankind. I’ve traveled around Karadjov Kamak, Dupchen Kamak, The Deaf Stones, Sakar Mountain, Gorno Lukovo and Utroba Cave, they all represent a meaningful part of my exhibition for Sarieva / Gallery “Cabin Utroba”.

Through these expeditions, I’ve collected some artifacts, carpets, and tools. They are the starting point of my research. After this, I was able to design a whole contemporary dimension through a direct dialogue between these bygone objects and my creative twist.

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