Draft:Rumen Nechev

Rumen Nechev (born 1959 in Smolyan, Bulgaria) is a Bulgarian graphic artist known for his work in black and white graphics. He currently lives and works in Plovdiv, Bulgaria.

Early Life and Education
Nechev was born in Smolyan and later moved to Plovdiv where he has established his career. He graduated from the High School of Arts in Kazanlak in 1978 and went on to receive his degree in Graphics from the "St. Cyril and Methodius" University in Veliko Tarnovo in 1986, studying under Prof. Hristo Tsatsinov.

Career
Over the course of his career, Nechev has held over 50 solo exhibitions across various international locations including Istanbul, Beijing, and Venice. He specializes in graphic arts using primarily black and white mediums, exploring themes ranging from the abstract to representations of cultural identity.

In 2021, Nechev showcased an exhibition at the Grafikart Gallery, featuring 3D graphics on handmade paper. His work was also featured in the "Чернопис" ("Black Drawing") exhibition at Gallery Aspect in 2023, which focused on the exploration of black as a color.

Recognition and Contributions
Nechev's works are included in significant collections such as the National Art Gallery in Sofia and the City Art Gallery in Plovdiv. He has participated in international art events like the "Global Print" series in Portugal and the "Imago Mundi " collection in Venice. His contributions to the field have been recognized with several awards, including an Award for Graphics "Ludogorie" at GHD Razgrad in 2023, and an Award for Graphics at the International Biennale of Miniature at the City Gallery Ruse in 2021.

Memberships and Leadership Roles
He is a member of the Union of Bulgarian Artists and the Union of Pazardzhik and Plovdiv Artists. From 2002 to 2005, he served as the Chairman of the Society of Plovdiv Artists, reflecting his active role in the Bulgarian art community.

Collections
Rumen Nechev's artworks are held in numerous public and private collections worldwide. Notable public collections include the National Art Gallery in Sofia, the City Art Gallery in Plovdiv, and several city art galleries across Bulgaria such as Burgas, Pazardzhik, Kazanlak, Stara Zagora, Dimitrovgrad, and Rousse. Internationally, his works are part of the Graphic Cabinet "Auerbach" in Germany, the Helmut Müller Collection in Germany, the Schreiner Graphic Collection in Bad Steben, Germany, and the Graphic Museum Guanlan in China. Additionally, his graphics are included in the SIEAC Collection in Tianjin, China, and various Ex Libris collections in cities like Belgrade, Pescara, Saint Nicholas, Ankara, Istanbul, and Beijing. His works are also featured in numerous private collections both in Bulgaria and abroad.

Awards
2023: Award for Graphics "Ludogorie" at the GHD Razgrad.

2022: Award for sculpture at the Biennale "Friends of the Sea" in Burgas; Honorary certificate from the Fifth International Exlibris Competition, Istanbul.

2021: Award for Graphics at the International Biennale of Miniature at the City Gallery Ruse.

2019: First Award at the National Graphic Forum in Stara Zagora.

2018: Award of the Istanbul Exlibris Society at the Varna Gallery "Largo".

2017: SBH Award for Contribution to Graphics - "Georgi Gerasimov", Pazardik, Pazardzhik.

2014: Regional "Allianz – Bulgaria" Award for Graphics.

2013: "Plovdiv" Award for Fine Arts.

2012: Graphics Award at the Biennale "Friends of the Sea," Burgas; Honorary Award for Graphics at the International Symposium "Oskar Kokoschka," Austria.

2010: Certificate of Honor at the International Graphic Congress, Istanbul.

2006: Graphics Award at the Annual Exhibition of the DPH, Plovdiv.

2005: Cité Internationale des Arts Scholarship, Paris.

2004: Honorary Diploma from the International Triennale of Graphics, Sofia; Annual Dyakov Gallery, Plovdiv Award.

2003: First Award for Graphics at the International Biennale of Satire, Gabrovo; "St. Cyril and Methodius" Foundation Award at the XII International Biennial of Graphics, Varna.

2002: Ex-libris "Tribel" Award, Belgrade; First Award at the Biennale of Small Forms, Pleven.

2000: Award at the First International Festival of Graphic Arts, Cheonan, South Korea.

1999: Special Award at the International Biennial of Graphics, Cluj, Romania.

1997: Stanislav Dospevski Graphics Award, Pazardzhik; Annual Award of the Rotary Club, Pazardzhik.

1991: Second Award and Silver Plaque at the Sixth International Biennial of Graphics, Varna.

1986: Graphics Award at the Annual Exhibition, Pazardzhik.

Exhibitions and Curatorial Projects:
2021: "The Paper" curated by Nedko Nedkov at the City Gallery Dobrich.

2019: "Bulgarian Graphics" at the SIEAC gallery in Tianjin, China, curated by Yulian Yordanov.

2018: "Illusion or Reality Transcendence" in Shenzhen, Guanlan, China, curated by Veliko Marincheski.

2015: "Imago Mundi," part of the Luciano Benetton collection in Venice, Italy.

2013: "Global Print" curated by Nuno Canelas in Douro, Portugal.

2012: "Fusion" main curator Jiang Lu, Guanlan, China.

2009: "White" curated by Georgi Dinev at Gallery Burgas.

2007: "From Alafranga to Europe" curated by Svetla Moskova in Old Town Plovdiv.

2007: "The Cyrillic Project" at the City Art Gallery, Plovdiv, and the European Commission in Brussels.

2005: "Enclosed Spaces" curated by Nedko Nedkov at the Gallery "Dobrich" – The Old Prison.

2005: "Airless" curated by Monika Romenska at Gallery DPH, Plovdiv.

2005: "Classics of Bulgarian Graphics" in Ljubljana, Slovenia, curated by Plamena Dimitrova-Racheva.

2001: "August in Art" in Varna, curated by Rumen Serafimov.

2000: "Personal" curated by Johan Artinian at Gallery DPH, Plovdiv.

1992: "New Names" curated by Petar Zmijcharov in Sofia.