Brandstater Gallery features etchings of Vasil Kolev-Vassillo

 

RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Bulgarian artist Vasil Kolev-Vassillo is showcasing his art at Brandstater Gallery in an exhibit titled “Penetration—My Houses.” 

Two etching, aquatint and drypoint works by Bulgarian artist Vasil Kolev-Vassillo who is exhibiting his collection at Brandstater Gallery through March 16.
Two etching, aquatint and drypoint works by Bulgarian artist Vasil Kolev-Vassillo who is exhibiting his collection at Brandstater Gallery through March 16.

The exhibit, which opened Feb. 21, will run through Thurs., Mar. 16 and will feature a reception on Mar. 12 at 6 p.m. with an artist talk at 6:45 p.m.

For the artist, the theme of this exhibit represents a collection of inner reflections, emotions, and thoughts that he has experienced throughout his life living between Sofia, Bulgaria and Venice, Italy. Each piece has the mission to provoke spiritual and intellectual enrichment to the viewer.

“This mixture of refracted, felt, lived spaces of mine is the sincerest thing that I can share with the world,” says Kolev-Vassillo.

Kolev-Vassillo typically works with intaglio techniques—etching, aquatint, dry point, mezzotint, and more. This technique allows him to manipulate the plate in different ways, creating various layers and forming an image with depth. He adds another layer of depth through the use of metaphor and minimalist symbols that provide a psychological aspect.

His work has been influenced by his father who was a writer and supported his aspirations to become an artist. He also influenced by artists such as Jan van Eyck, Francisco Goya, Amedeo Modigliani, Alberto Burri, Lucio Fontana and others.

“I think that being an artist is a destiny. I always knew since I was a little child that I would be an artist,” says Kolev-Vassillo.

Kolev-Vassillo was born in in Sofia, Bulgaria and works between Sofia and Venice as an assistant professor at the National Academy of Art in Sofia, Department of Graphic Art. He has been featured in exhibits in venues around the world including Thailand, China, Spain, Poland, and London.

Tim Musso, Brandstater Gallery director, worked with Kolev-Vassillo on an exhibition catalogue for the exhibit in both English and Cyrillic. Kolev-Vassillo will also provide La Sierra University students with a demonstration of his technique.

Admission is free. The gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon. through Wed., and noon to 7 p.m. on Thurs. For more information, contact tmusso@lasierra.edu. La Sierra University is located at 4500 Riverwalk Parkway, Riverside. A campus map is available at https://lasierra.edu/campus-map/.

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