For longer than a decade, the art studio of one of Bulgaria’s greatest artists and intellectuals, Dechko Uzunov, was not accessible to the public. Ever since this October, art lovers have been allowed the opportunity to glimpse into the artist’s world and feel his inspiration and the atmosphere in which he created his art. Dechko Uzunov spent the last years of his life in his studio. Half-empty paint tubes, dried up paintbrushes and palettes, the easel, unfinished sketches and drawings for which there was no time left, various pieces of furniture, random objects, books, musical instruments, exotic souvenirs from faraway places treasured by Dechko Uzunov, all come to reveal this world. Visitors can also see the unfinished work Chernobyl which the artist was working on shortly before the end of his life’s journey.

The theme of venues where Dechko Uzunov created his artworks is elaborated on in the exhibition Dechko Uzunov. Dialogues in Art presented at the gallery adjacent to the studio. From detailed portraits through to still lifes and figure compositions, the works featured in the exhibition hint at or explicitly reveal places chosen by the artist for the completion of his paintings. The studio interior is present in many of these works thus revealing the importance of the studio as a work venue. Through the years, Uzunov’s teaching and diplomatic assignments turned this venue into a place where the artist managed to strike a balance between his personal space and social life. Portrait of Violeta Stoyanova, Interior, Still life with Antiquity Head and Nude Body are but a few of the works included in the exhibition.

Various studio interiors, images of models, objects, fruit, flowers reveal the artist’s thoughts and feelings. They give an idea of the values of the artist’s world and his art. Looking out his window, he came up with colourful urban and sea landscapes that create a sense of infinity. Artworks presenting models at the studio reveal the many dialogues the artist had with himself and his students. Dialogues about the personal and the social, and, not less importantly, about art and reality.

This exhibition features works belonging to the permanent collections of Dechko Uzunov Art Gallery, Sofia City Art Gallery, Nikola Marinov Targoviste City Art Gallery, Kazanlak City Art Gallery and private collectors.