Imagine Exhibition (2008)

Imagine I - Schmincke oils on canvas. Size: 130 x 100 сm, 2007, Anton Terziev. Photo: © the artist. Courtesy of the artist

Lyubomir Dimitrov's portrait

This striking oil painting portrait by Anton Terziev encapsulates a powerful and thought-provoking image. The figure at the center of the composition is a man dressed in a deep olive-green shirt, with his hands tightly clasped in front of him. His expression is pensive, his eyes closed, creating a sense of quiet contemplation or internal struggle.

Behind him, a dramatic streak of dark crimson paint erupts from the top of his head, evoking a powerful and unsettling visual. The blood-red stain seems to symbolize an emotional or mental explosion, a disruption of calm, and perhaps a hint at inner turmoil or violence. The vivid contrast between the deep green of the figure’s shirt and the fiery red splash captures a tension between calm and chaos, which amplifies the emotional impact of the piece.

The figure's pose, arms crossed in front of his body, adds to the tension—his outward stillness contrasts with the dynamic movement suggested by the red splash. The subtle inclusion of the word "IMAGINE" in the bottom right corner invites a moment of reflection, urging the viewer to contemplate the deeper meaning behind this raw, emotive portrait.

The simplicity of the background—pure white—further isolates the figure, making the emotional depth of the image even more pronounced, and accentuating the artist's mastery of color, form, and psychological narrative. It’s a powerful commentary on the clash between internal and external forces, offering a haunting exploration of the human condition.

Imagine I - detail Photo: © the artist

Anton Terziev’s oil painting Imagine is a compelling exploration of the interplay between our unconscious depths and the chaotic patterns of modern thought. In this work, Terziev employs a rich, layered technique that weaves together elements of abstraction and symbolism, inviting viewers to delve into the undercurrents of hidden emotions and neuroses prevalent in our contemporary experience.

The artist’s use of evocative, dark-toned palettes and fluid, almost poetic brushstrokes creates a sense of synchronization between the viewer’s inner turmoil and the external manifestation of anxiety. The painting’s composition resonates with an unstable, yet deliberate structure—mirroring the ceaseless stream of thoughts that oscillate between lucidity and chaos. This synergy of form and content challenges the observer to confront the inherent tension between rationality and the often-unseen emotional landscape.

In its fusion of modern anxiety with timeless existential questions, Imagine stands as a visually arresting piece that not only captures the spirit of our unsettled times but also encourages a deeper meditation on the duality of human consciousness.

Imagine II - Schmincke oils on canvas. Size: 100 x 130 сm, 2007, Anton Terziev. Photo: © the artist. Courtesy of Lyubomir Dimitrov - amazing artist and illustrator of three my poetry and short stories books - No Portrait for the Artist (2007), Urban Yoga for Beginners (2008), Local Heroes (2010)

Imagine III - Schmincke oils on canvas - Size: 130 x 100 сm, 2007, Anton Terziev. Photo: © the artist. Courtesy of Lyubomir Dimitrov

Part of Mtel Awards exhibition, Plovdiv, 2007 , curated by Irina Batkova
Photography: Kolmar Studio

Encaptured visitor: Boris Kostadinov - independent curator and art historian


Imagine exhibition opening, Art center 12, Sofia, 2008 Photo: © the artist. Encaptured artist: Plamen Kovachev	Imagine exhibition opening, Art center 12, Sofia, 2008 Photo: © the artist. Encaptured curator: Svetlana Koyumdjieva

Imagine exhibition opening, Art center 12, Sofia, 2008 Photo: © the artist. Encaptured artist: Lyubomir Dimitrov	Imagine exhibition opening, Art center 12, Sofia, 2008 Photo: © the artist. Encaptured artist: Kalina Terzieva

Живописта на Антон Терзиев е изцяло в посоката на актуалния медиен реализъм, който увлича сега и поколението след него. Текстът присъства на първи план като част от изображението или е повод, който го поражда. При всички случаи текстът е важен тук не само заради съдържанието във визията, но и сам по себе си като неотменна съставка от личността на този художник.

Светлана Куюмджиева - арт критик, изкуствовед, куратор