From November 2, 2024 the famous actor and artist Vasil Vasilev-Zouek presents his new exhibition at the prestigious Donnart Gallery in Bad Rothenfelde. This exciting exhibition promises to showcase the best of Zouek’s works, showcasing his unique style and talent.
Vasil Vasilev-Zouek is not only a favorite actor from the television screen, but also a very talented artist with a successful career in painting. His paintings are known for their vibrant colors, emotional themes, and distinctive style that combines elements of abstraction, impressionism, and surrealism. His work often reflects his personal experiences and emotions, making it deeply personal and relatable to the audience.
The exhibition includes various works created by Zouek in recent years. Visitors will have the opportunity to view a breathtaking collection of landscapes, portraits and abstract paintings that showcase the artist’s versatility and artistry. Each painting tells a story, transporting the viewer into a different world filled with drama, emotion and depth.
Donnart Gallery is well known for presenting high quality contemporary art by international artists. Located in the picturesque town of Bad Rothenfelde, it offers the ideal location for such a remarkable exhibition. The gallery will host Zouek’s exhibition until November 30.
During the exhibition, visitors will have the opportunity to purchase some of the artworks on display in the gallery, as well as meet Vassil Vassilev-Zouek in person and discuss his work and inspiration. This event is sure to be a highlight of the 2024 cultural calendar, attracting art lovers, collectors and Zouek fans from around the world.
The exhibition promises to be an unforgettable experience that showcases the incredible talent and creativity of a versatile artist. Whether you are a long-time fan of Zouek’s work or simply an art connoisseur looking for new inspiration, this exhibition is sure to leave a lasting impression on you. So mark your calendars and get ready to immerse yourself in the magical world of Vasil Vasilev-Zouek at the Donnart Gallery from November 2 to 30, 2024.
“I’m not an artist, I’m an actor and a creator who was involved in drama, so I choose the subjects I paint on dramaturgically. The way of constructing the composition itself is theatrical for me, I do it dramaturgically. I start from the idea or a specific image that carries the idea, and I think about colors and technique. Every picture is the next lesson for me, I keep learning” said Zouek in his interview for “RadioTochka” on BNR. Zouek has plans to participate in an exhibition at the Bulgarian Cultural Institute in Rome, and in October 2025 is planning a solo one in Palma de Mallorca.
About the artist
Vasil Vasilev, better known as Zouek, is a versatile talent who has proven himself in various fields throughout his career. Although most people know him for his work in television and theatre, he is also a passionate artist who has a deep interest in the art world.
He was born on April 30, 1965 in Sliven, Bulgaria. He graduated in acting at VITIZ “Krastyo Sarafov” in the class of Prof. Ilkov in 1992. He participated in the student show from the beginning of the 90s “Ku-ku”, as well as in its successor – “Kanaleto”. He was the host of the shows: “Masters of the Eether”, “Monday 8 ½”, “Like Two Drops of Water” and “The Masked Singer”. He participated in the films “Border”, “The Assistant”, “Blueberry Hill”, “The World is big and salvation is lurking everywhere”, “The court”, “Directions”, “In the circle”, in the series “The policemen from the edge of the city” and many others.
In 1992, he and Nina Dimitrova founded the “Credo” theater. Their first production – “Overcoat” (by Gogol) – has more than 500 performances, performed on the stage of Theater 199 and around the world in nine languages. He is the winner of over 16 international awards. Received the “Ikar” award of the Union of Artists in Bulgaria – Special Award “Ikar” for contribution to the popularization of Bulgarian theater art around the world (2008). There is a plaque with his prints on the Wall of Fame in front of Theater 199.
Since May 2021, he has been living in Spain due to the desire to change “the country to another, where the laws are respected” and indulges in his long-time passion – painting. In 2021, several solo and collective exhibitions were held – solo in the “U PARK” gallery, Plovdiv, in the “BOGORIDI” gallery, Burgas – together with Gergana Lalova, with the “Lyubov na stativi (Love on tripods )” group participated in 4 joint exhibitions in Sofia, Plovdiv, Blagoevgrad and Ruse, Bulgaria.
Art style and influences
Zouek’s artistic style can be described as a mixture of abstraction and figurative elements, often incorporating humor and satire. His work ranges from painting to drawing and collage, with each piece reflecting his unique view of the world around.
In terms of his influences, Zouek draws inspiration from a wide range of artists and movements, including the Cubism of Pablo Picasso, the Surrealism of Salvador Dali, and the Abstract Expressionism of Jackson Pollock. He is also influenced by contemporary artists such as Damien Hirst and Banksy, who have pushed the boundaries of traditional art through innovative techniques and conceptual ideas.
Exhibitions
May 2021: First solo exhibition at U PARK Gallery, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
August 2021: Co-exhibition with Gergana Lalova at Bogoridi Gallery, Burgas, Bulgaria
March 17 – April 5, 2022: Solo painting exhibition “My Heroes” at Le Papillon Art Gallery, Varna, Bulgaria
The exhibition includes 22 canvases and is called “My Heroes”. The stories in pictures of Zouek’s characters carry the personal emotion and are provoked by various theatrical performances. Of ideas, dreams and problems.
“My heroes are the people from the street, in my paintings they are more like the angels of the people from the street. That is, their soul, their spirit, that which is our human essence. People who strive to fly, people who feed on good news, people who love.“ says Vasil Vasilev-Zouek.
October 2022: Solo exhibition at Cultural Center Magura, Chicago, USA
In Chicago, 33 paintings are shown under the title “My World”, part of the author’s latest searches.His creative imagination is limitless, and this can be seen in the canvases specially painted for the exhibition. The exhibit has been on display at the Prospect Heights Library since November 1st, and at the Niles-Main District Library since December 1st.
- November 2022: Solo exhibition at Prospect Heights Library, Chicago, USA;
- December 2022: Solo exhibition at Main-Niles Library, Chicago, USA.
March 2023: Co-exhibition at Albir Gallery, Albir, Spain
April 2023: Solo exhibition at Albir Gallery, Albir, Spain
June 2023: Co-exhibition at Art Altaia, Altea, Spain
July 2023: Participation in Summer Festival – Albir Gallery, Albir, Spain
30 May 2024: Exhibition “My World” (Mi Mundo) at Cultural Center “Lope de Vega”, Madrid, Spain
September 2024: Co-exhibition of Vasil Vasilev-Zouek and Valentina Vecherka “Where the heart is” at the Bulgarian Cultural Institute “Dom Wittgenstein”, Vienna, Austria
2 – 30 November 2024: Exhibition at Donnart Kunst Galerie, Bad Rothenfelde, Germany.
You can view his works at: https://www.zouek-art.com
A contribution to Bulgarian culture
“My whole life has been about telling people things that I think are useful. Whether I do it with a painting or something else, it doesn’t matter. I paint theater pictures because I’ve done several things throughout my life : theater, cinema and television. I’m just changing the theatrical means to express the same idea. It’s just my imagination. I’ve been doing the same thing all my life something – I have shared ideas and my opinion about certain phenomena or processes in our country, and in general about relationships between people. This is what excites me.”
Vasil Vasilev – Zouek
Throughout his career, Vasil Vasilev-Zouek has contributed significantly to the development of the cultural scene in Bulgaria, not only as an actor and TV presenter, but also as a respected artist. His exhibitions have attracted a wide audience, presenting a unique perspective on the art world and challenging conventional notions of what a work of art can be.
His career as an artist is marked by his creativity, dedication and willingness to experiment with different artistic styles and media.
As he continues to create and share his artwork with the public, Vasil Vasilev-Zouek will undoubtedly continue to leave an indelible mark on the art world, serving as an inspiration for future generations of artists and enriching Bulgaria’s cultural heritage.
