History of the exhibition series “BACKGROUND: Young Artists” by Sariev Gallery – today “Sarieva”
“BACKGROUND: Young Artists” is a long-term project of Sariev Gallery (today “Sar ieva”), dedicated to discovering and presenting solo exhibitions of young artists. Participation in the platform has often been decisive for the development of these artists – many of them have later become leading names in Bulgarian contemporary art, award winners, and internationally recognized authors.
The platform was launched in 2010 and has continuously evolved with new formats and visions. Its main goal is to select and support young artists, to develop exhibition projects together with them, and to open new aesthetic and conceptual perspectives for contemporary art. In this process, “BACKGROUND: Young Artists” not only highlights new talents but also experiments with exhibition spaces, curatorial practices, and communication approaches, in order to open a wider field in which to “be with art.”
It is significant that the very first edition of the project in 2010 took place simultaneously in the gallery and in a newly emerging part of the city – the Kapana district. Later, the gallery’s project space (2014–2015) was also established there, again dedicated to young artists (presenting exhibitions by Vikenti Komitski, Voin de Voin, and Dimitar Solakov). Over the years, the “BACKGROUND” exhibitions have taken place in a variety of venues – from city streets, bars, and artists’ studios to historic houses. As a natural continuation of the platform, the initiative “Portfolio Day” was also developed.
In 2016 the exhibition platform expanded with new formats: Portfolio Day – after an open invitation, young artists under the age of 35 are selected for the opportunity to receive individual counseling from a professional committee composed of leading curators, artists and gallerists; and 15 Minutes of Fame – a presentation format in which young artists can present their work to an audience in an event designed dramaturgically and including interludes with music and performances.
Artists presented over the years
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2010 – Kiril Kuzmanov and Svetoslav Michev
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2011 – Lubri
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2012 – Zoran Georgiev
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2013 – Daniela Georgieva
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2014 – Dimitar Solakov
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2016 – Martina Vacheva
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2018 – Eli Joteva and Zlatimir Arakliev; “BACKGROUND: Young Artists from Plovdiv in Helsinki” – Valko Chobanov, Martina Vacheva, Dimitar Shopov
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2019 – “BACKGROUND: Young Artists from Plovdiv” – a group exhibition across several locations, including the gallery and artists’ studios along the Maritsa River
Transformation during the pandemic
After 2019, the platform paused due to the pandemic but was transformed into a new format – Artist’s Studio at SARIEV. This experimental laboratory redefined the concept of the gallery space and offered artists the opportunity to work in a new environment, to interact with the city and its communities, and to meet professionals who could contribute to their development.
In May 2020, Sariev Gallery announced an open call for an artist to transform the gallery into their own studio for two weeks. The program provided working conditions, a budget for materials, and the possibility of a final presentation to the public.
Selected artists through the open call in this new format:
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2021 – Maria Nalbantova
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2022 – Tsvetomira Borisova, Elena Chergilanova, Melania Toma (international artist)
Following their participation in the platform, Maria Nalbantova and Tsvetomira Borisova were awarded the Bulgarian award for young artist - BAZA Award for Contemporary Art – just like a number of other artists previously presented in “BACKGROUND,” such as Kiril Kuzmanov, Zoran Georgiev, Martina Vacheva, and Valko Chobanov. This is a strong indication of the sustainability and significance of the project.
Return
After several years of research into the new generation of artists and the changing social and artistic environment, in the autumn of 2025 the BACKGROUND platform of Sarieva/Gallery has something to say and returns with an exhibition by the young self-taught artist Radoslav Angelov, which will take place at the gallery space in Plovdiv between September and November.
LINKS / More information:
BACKGROUND 2010
Kiril Kuzmanov, Svetoslav Michev
Project 01
group show, talk, interventions in Kapana district
BACKGROUND 2011
Lubri
Backup
solo show
BACKGROUND 2012
Zoran Georgiev
Temporary, but permanent
solo show
BACKGROUND 2013
Daniela Georgieva
Rooms and Knots
solo show
BACKGROUND 2014
Dimitar Solakov
The Story of Art – a Concise Version, 2014
solo show
BACKGROUND 2016
Martina Vacheva
SEREALITY
solo show
BACKGROUND 2018
Zlatimir Arakliev, Eli Joteva
In the Dark
group show
BACKGROUND 2018
Valko Chobanov, Martina Vacheva, Dimitar Shopov
Immersion - Background: Young Artists from Plovdiv
group show
BACKGROUND 2019
Mitch Brezounek, Valko Chobanov, Velizar Dimchev, Dimitar Genchev, Yavor Kostadinov, Lyubomir Krastev, Dimitar Shopov, Trifon Tashev, Martina Vacheva
BACKGROUND: Young Artists from Plovdiv
group show
Artist’s Studio at SARIEV
- 2021 – Maria Nalbantova
- 2022 – Tsvetomira Borisova, Elena Chergilanova, Melania Toma (international artist)
BACKGROUND 2025
Radoslav Angelov
solo show
bliss
Sarieva/Gallery, Plovdiv