Genko Genkov (1923-2006) and Ivan Kirkov (1932-2010)
Exhibition of paintings, drawings, watercolours and illustrations
17 January - 1 March 2023
OPENING ON JANUARY 17TH, TUESDAY FROM 17:00 - 20:00. 

L'UNION Gallery is pleased to present works by two remarkable artists, Genko Genkov and Ivan Kirkov, who remain in the history of art for their vivid individuality, incredible talent and unique sense of colors, shapes and composition. Recalling their significance with the exhibition, we pay tribute to the two artists Ivan Kirkov (January 1 marks the 91st anniversary of his birth), and Genko Genkov (February 1 marks the 100th anniversary of his birth). 
Their work spans the second half of the 20th century. Already in the early 1960s they managed to establish themselves as a daring artistic alternative, together with a new freer generation of artists, striving to infuse their art with the spirit of the times, with European trends, each according to their own individuality and vision. 
Genko is an artist who finds inspiration and trust in natural reality. His inimitable painting, which freed colour and form from accepted canons, is a reflection of his visions and the state of his spirit, eternally restless and searching. The landscapes presented in the exposition are distinguished by a characteristic author's handwriting - bright colour and relief surfaces.
 Ivan Kirkov is one of the artists who over the years remained faithful to his plastic search in different genres and styles, but necessarily bound to modernity, opposing routine and the false pathos of socialist realism.
His unassuming but powerful intellectualism, combined with discreet irony and magnificent humour, made him one of the philosophers of the new. Watercolours, drawings and illustrations can be seen in the exhibition.
The exhibition at the L'union gallery can be seen until 1 March 2023!

GENKO GENKOV
Genko Genkov was born in 1923 in the village of Choba, near Karlovo. He grew up in Burgas, where he graduated from the Semi-Classical High School. He studied at the National Academy of Fine Arts in 1948. His first solo exhibition was in 1965, and in 1973 a retrospective exhibition was organized on the occasion of his fiftieth anniversary. In 1978 he received the award of the Union of Bulgarian Artists in the name of Vladimir Dimitrov-Maistora. 
Genko Genkov died on 3 March 2006 in Sofia during his last exhibition. 

IVAN KIRKOV
Ivan Kirkov was born in 1932 in Asenovgrad. He graduated in painting at the National Academy of Art as a graduate of prof. Kiril Tsonev and prof. Ilia Petrov. With his participation in the First Youth Exhibition in 1961, his name became synonymous with non-conformism and modernity. He worked in various fields and genres - painting, illustration, poster, scenography. He studied at the National Academy of Fine Arts in 1948. His first solo exhibition was in 1965, and in 1973 a retrospective exhibition was organized on the occasion of his fiftieth anniversary. Since 1972 he has been a recipient of the Order of Cyril and Methodius, 3rd degree. In 1978 he received the award of the Union of Bulgarian Artists in the name of Vladimir Dimitrov-Maistora. 
Genko Genkov died on 3 March 2006 in Sofia during his last exhibition.