Lyuben Genov’s exhibition, titled “Color Resonances,” is on view at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences through July 31, 2026. This is the third exhibition in the “Contemporary Art at the BAS” series, an initiative of Prof. Vassil Kirov, Chairman of the Academy’s General Assembly. “The Bulgarian Academy of Sciences possesses a significant collection of classical Bulgarian art. The time has come to turn our attention to contemporary Bulgarian art as well, to open up our spaces at the Academy and its campuses,” said Prof. Kirov at the exhibition’s opening which took place on July 1 in the central foyer of BAS.
“I am convinced that science and art reflect the human spirit’s quest for knowledge and beauty,” noted BAS President Corresponding Member Evelina Slavcheva in her greeting to the exhibition’s guests. In recent years, BAS has also been showcasing contemporary art – we do this not only because we value young and contemporary artists but also because it brings this historic building to life and gives it a unique spirit.
“With this exhibition, we are also marking the anniversary of one of the most introspective and emotional artists in contemporary art,” emphasized the exhibition’s curator, Diana Draganova-Stier. As the long-time chair of the Union of Bulgarian Artists, Lyuben Genov has always managed to find a balance between social responsibility and the absolute preservation of his personal creative space.
“I am proud to now be part of this series,” said artist Lyuben Genov. “One of the most important areas of research is cultural-historical heritage and national identity,” the artist emphasized, recalling the contributions of scholars at the Institute for Art Studies at BAS which is nearly 80 years old and has played a huge role in the development of Bulgarian visual arts. Numerous great Bulgarian artists – both classical and contemporary – are connected to the mission of BAS. During the opening, Lyuben Genov noted that the mission of art, in both its genesis and its outcome, was the highest form of communication.
On the occasion of the exhibition’s opening, Anton Kutev, chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Culture and Media, sent a congratulatory address to the artist, noting: “It is particularly symbolic that your work is featured in an initiative that builds a valuable bridge between science and contemporary art.”
The exhibition’s curator, Diana Draganova-Stier:
“The artist translates and explores, through a vivid visual language, the energy levels of pure painting. In the ‘Color Resonances’ exhibition, Lyuben Genov has brought together canvases from various periods to immerse us in the labyrinth of sensory perception. In his monumental works, built from shimmering patches of color and blurred, pulsating forms, we do not seek decorative harmony, but rather resonant melodies that sometimes function as autonomous spaces of silence. In his paintings, the gesture takes center stage – both spontaneous and deeply controlled, transformed into a delicate instrument for exploring bursts of color in space.”
Lyuben Genov is one of the leading figures in Bulgarian painting. He has served as chairman of the Union of Bulgarian Artists for many years, and his works are featured in over 50 public collections, museums, and libraries.
