Universi Estremi la bi-personale di Ilian Rachov e Tsvetelina Rusalieva Galleria internazionale Area Contesa

The Galleria Internazionale Area Contesa Arte, located at Via Margutta 90 in Rome, will host the dual exhibition "EXTREME UNIVERSES" featuring Bulgarian artists Ilian Rachov and Tsvetelina Rusalieva from November 1 to November 10, 2024, with critical texts by Alfio Borghese and Mario Salvo.

The opening event on November 1, at 6:00 PM, will have actress and artist Adriana Russo as the patroness, the presentation will be curated by Teresa M. Zurlo, and the artistic direction entrusted to Tina Zurlo.

Two artists, two parallel universes, two techniques, and two different but common worldviews.

A total of twenty works will be on display, 10 by each artist, creating a close dialogue between them. On one side, Tsvetelina Rusalieva’s abstract art aims to capture moments and atmospheres from her numerous travel memories, creating surreal landscapes of distant worlds.

A versatile artist with numerous exhibitions in Bulgaria and abroad, this is her first dual exhibition, part of her broader European project to present Bulgarian artists beyond national borders.

On the other hand, there's the art of Ilian Rachov, also Bulgarian but a long-time resident of Rome, known for his extremely figurative style inspired by the great Renaissance and Baroque masters, creating contemporary frescoes, portraits, religious and mythological canvases.

Ilian Rachov is a versatile artist, also well-known for his strong ties to the high fashion world, having been a designer for the Versace fashion house for years.

As Rachov himself states: "As a self-taught painter, I have always sought inspiration from the great masters of the past. Even now, after 36 years of career, when I enter museums, I realize I have learned almost nothing because figurative art requires extensive knowledge, as well as mental concentration and discipline that are fading over the years."

Brief Bio of Ilian Rachov

Ilian Rachov, a Bulgarian artist from Sofia, began his artistic career as a self-taught painter in 1988, creating copies of Orthodox icons and medieval frescoes, rediscovering and mastering ancient techniques now forgotten.

Many of his works belong to public or museum collections, including: the Vatican's Holy See, the Ethnographic Museum of Hamburg, the Chiprovtsi Museum in Bulgaria, the Rila Monastery in Bulgaria, the International Don Bosco Institute in Turin, the Santa Petka Church in Rupite, to name a few.

His paintings are also part of private collections worldwide, from Japan to the United States, Russia, and Australia. His clientele includes notable personalities such as Donatella Versace, Penelope Cruz, Prince Albert II of Monaco, Gene Simmons, the First Lady of Bulgaria, Princess Asma Al Qasimi (Sheikha of Sharjah - UAE), the Ruspoli Princes, Princess Rita Boncompagni Ludovisi, Valeria Marini, Princess Fawaghi Al Qasimi, and many others.

In parallel, he created several collections for VERSACE with Baroque designs, featuring the famous MEDUSA, still used by VERSACE in the HOME COLLECTION line.

He also created collections under his own name, sold entirely in Monte Carlo, Rome, and Paris.

Since 2016, after relocating to Rome, he has collaborated with various design and fashion companies like Silvio Fiorello, Acqua Lustralis, Angelina Roma, creating luxury capsule collections with his distinctive style.

In 2005, he was contacted by the British Royal Mail to use some of his works for a limited edition of stamps.

He has won numerous awards: in 2015 he received the honor of Doctor of Arts from the prestigious American Foundation La Filologica pur La Causa.

He also won the Golden Phenomenon, Emerging Artist title, ITALIA ARTE, Capitolino d'Oro Award, Excellence AWARD, European Festival, and many others.

Thanks to his personal style that merges the realism of classical painting with the richness of contemporary art and design colors, he has been commissioned to create numerous frescoes and murals in palaces and historic residences, such as Villa Paradiso in Turin, Palazzo Ruspoli in Rome, Palazzo Tittoni in Rome, and in some churches (Salesians' Church in Turin, Crocetta, St. Ilian Church in Sofia, Chapel of the Nunciature in Sofia, etc.) and private residences.

Throughout his twenty-year artistic career, Rachov has participated in various painting and design competitions and exhibitions in Italy and Europe.

In 2021, he held a personal exhibition at the Galleria Internazionale Area Contesa on Via Margutta, Rome, followed by other participations in various art exhibitions.

For more info:

WWW.ARTBYILIAN.COM

WWW.RACHOV.COM

Extreme Universes November 1-10, 2024
Dual Exhibition of Ilian Rachov and Tsvetelina Rusalieva
Galleria Internazionale Area Contesa Arte – Via Margutta 90 – Rome
Opening Friday, November 1, 2024, 6:00 PM

Hours:
Monday closed
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday 11:30 AM–1:30 PM, 3–6:30 PM

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday 4–7 PM