Biography
Martin Penev (born 1985) lives and works in Sofia. In 2009 he received a master's degree in "Theology" from the Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" and in 2012 he received a master's degree in "Digital Arts" from the National Academy of Arts, Sofia. Since 2010 she has participated in group and solo projects in a number of festivals and events in Bulgaria and abroad. In 2016-2018 he made six solo exhibitions: 2016 - "Exploitation of the Erased Image", Vaska Emanouilova Gallery, Sofia, curated by Vladiya Mihaylova; 2017 - "Appetite", Æther, Sofia, curated by Krassimir Terziev; "Ritual", Atelie Plastelin, Sofia; 2018 - "Wonderful Urban Story", The Fridge, Sofia, curated by Stefka Tsaneva; "Unforeseen", Institute for Contemporary Art - Sofia, curated by Iara Boubnova; "An Object of Concern", Swimming Pool, Sofia, curated by Victoria Draganova. In 2017 he was nominated for the BAZA young artist award, and in 2018 he won the same award.
He has interests in object, installation, interactive design, media arts and performance.
About
In my practice as an artist I have been involved in various genres - performing arts, dance, media arts, object, installation. As a result, I have extensive experience in various artistic situations, my approach allows for multiplicity, which can be seen in my works. Despite the diversity, a unifying characteristic can be traced - my psychological and anthropological interest in man.
Regardless of the genre, a tendency to work with archetypes, with unconsciousness, gradually became apparent. In my works, there is the gaming, infantile moment. However, I use sexuality and sexual tensions, unpleasant sensations, anxiety and irony. I imagine my ideal piece as sobering game for adults.
In recent years, I have focused on creating individual exhibitions with objects and installations. The interest in "character in a situation" was redirected to "object in a situation". In my research, I examine the qualities and relationships of the materials and how the viewer can be brought to a pre-speech situation, where he has only his instinct (as a post-cultural element) as a means of perception and response.
-Martin Penev
Gallery
Martin Penev
Unforeseen Circumstances, 2018.
Installation
Details
- Photographer: Radostin Sedevchev
- Material: textiles, rope, wooden sticks
- Sizes: volume size 110/65/95cm
- Description: Part of Gentle Squeeze of Circumstances series, 2018.
Martin Penev
Don't Blink, 2017.
Sculpture
Details
- Photographer: Radostin Sedevchev
- Material: styrofoam, paper, gypsum, golden paint
- Sizes: 95/65/20cm
Martin Penev
Time is My Oldest Enemy, 2018.
Sculpture
Details
- Photographer: Radostin Sedevchev
- Material: plush toy, latex, sand
- Sizes: 27/37/20cm
