Passion for Malaga is the title of the exhibition presented by the Malaga artist of Bulgarian origin, Valentin Kovatchev, in which he shows the passion and inspiration he feels for our beloved land. This is also expressed in each and every one of his compositions, through clear allusions to our history, culture, people and, especially, to our Holy Week, that had such an impact on him when he first came to Malaga from Sofia in 1992.
It features engravings and drawings like: “Malaga, the Bishopric Palace”, “The Stars of Malaga”, “Eternal Malaga”, “Cathedral of Malaga, triptych”, “Spiritual Andalusia”, and etchings like “The Virgin of Araceli” (the patron saint of the Andalusian countryside), “Our Lady of Hope” and “Jesús Nazareno del Paso”. These last works were commissioned by the Royal Archconfraternity, with the “Jesús Nazareno del Paso” being the one that would commemorate the IV Centenary of the blessing of the image of Jesus Nazareno del Paso in the city of Malaga in 2009. The engraved matrix plates will be displayed to the public for the first time.
In addition, there are other works inspired by Santiago de Compostela and Rome, with which the artist creates a sisterhood between the three cities as true symbols of spirituality and pilgrimage, and makes yet another display of Malaga´s welcoming nature and hospitality.
“Erosion XV. Christ Pantocrator” and “Erosion XVI. The Virgin of Mount Athos”, among others, are influenced by Byzantine iconic art, and reflect the vision of worship in the Orthodox world, as well as the artist´s origins.
The great master Picasso once said: “There is no theme more beautiful than a crucifixion, which is why for more than a thousand years it has been treated millions of times.” This is a key maxim and a presence obligatory for the exhibition, much like Kovatchev´s interpretation of one of the most beautiful crucifixion scenes in the entire history of art, created by the genius Dali and entitled “Christ of Saint John of the Cross”, inspired, in its turn, by a drawing of the mystic St. John of the Cross (XVI c.).
This is the first exhibition on this theme held in the cosy and intimate Sala Noble Showroom, and the first one for the artist, too. His idea was to offer a more global view, taking us through an intense cultural and historic journey: from Rome to Byzantium, passing through Santiago, Cologne, and culminating in Malaga, where a special attention has been dedicated to the passion for our Holy Week, it being the real protagonist.
Sala Noble Showroom
16th March to 23rd April, 2010
Málaga
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