Vessy Gekova
Glass art
Jewelry design
Glass architecture PhD
Vessy Gekova is a Bulgarian glass artist and jewelry designer. She graduated the Spanish institute Miguel de Servantes in Sofia with majors in Spanish and French. Gekova did a prep year in Fine Arts at Metropolitan University of London and graduated from a double BА “Glass, ceramics and porcelain” and “Fine art and mural painting” at NBU. She did a jewelry course under the supervision of Аngelo Krassini. Аfter a 6-month Erasmus internship at the Tomas Bata University in Zlin she mastered the classic Czech techniques of Bohemian crystal glass making and contemporary glass design technology. She is a graduate in MА “Glass design in architecture” and did is a PhD in “Glass design in architecture” at NBU under the supervision of Konstantin Valchev. Vessy Gekova has presened her art work in more than 50 national and international events. She has five solo exhibitions, the last one of which was held in Prague. Gekova was prized “Best young artist” for her blown glass sculpture at the Bulgarika International Art Festival in 2016. She designed and installed new stained glass windows at the cathedral “Alexander Nevski” in Sofia. Her art work is acquired by the National Palace of Culture in Sofia, Sofia city art gallery and private collectors in Bulgaria, USА, Аustria, Spain, South Аfrica, Italy and the Netherlands. Vessy Gekova was guest artist during the Open days at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, France. She is among the selected Bulgarian artists at the five editions of the International biennale of glass in Sofia. Gekova started her own jewelry brand in 2014. She did several designs for international Swiss watchmakind brands. In 2022 she started working for LVMH in the USA and soon was assigned specialist in fine jewelry and Swiss watches. Gekova was international brand ambassador for brands such as BVLGARI, Cartier, Montblanc, Panerai, IWC, etc.
ARTIST STATEMENT ON GLASS
“I am fascinated by glass as it combines the four elements and can be shaped only after adding the fifth one: human soul and creativity. Glass is the only transparent organic material which creates an illusion of reality describes as the 4th dimension. I love to play with its properties and structure as you never know the end result. In my work I combine traditional glass techniques with modern technology and artistic expression which result in art works that connect past and future, new and old, modern and traditional. My long term experimental work consist of the attempt so seal living matter like dry flowers in fused glass. My latest work is focusing on glass art in architecture and consists of combining the traditional mirror making renaissance techniques from Venice which date back to the 15th century with contemporary fusing technology from the 20th century.”
Events, Exhibitions & Achievements
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2021, Eden, Bulgarian cultural center, Prague, Czech Republic
2019, Eden, Contrast gallery, Sofia, Bulgaria
2018, Eden, Graffit gallery, Varna, Bulgaria
2017, Eden, Evdokia art glass gallery, Sofia, Bulgaria
2017, Emancipation fashion show, Military club, Sofia, Bulgaria
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2023, The beginning, Uniart, Sofia, Bulgaria
2022, Glass & jewelry, Sabai gallery, Sofia, Bulgaria
2022, Glass & jewelry, Artihove, Rotterdam, Netherlands
2021, Art glass, Evdokia gallery, Sofia, Bulgaria
2020, Portal, City art gallery, Sofia, Bulgaria
2019, International glass biennial, National gallery, Sofia, Bulgaria
2018, Painting and Glass – International Plein Air, City gallery, Sozopol, Bulgaria
2018, Reflets, Open days of the European Union, Council of Europe, Strassbourg, France
2017, International Biennial of Glass, Sofia, Bulgaria
2017, “Elevation” Award of Association of Military Women for Contribution in Arts, Sofia, Bulgaria
2017, Charity fashion jewellery show, Military club, Sofia, Bulgaria 2017
2017, Point and Line to the Light , New Bulgarian University, Sofia, Bulgaria
2016, Renovation of Temple-monument “St. Alexander Nevsky” cathedral, Stained Glass Window design, Sofia, Bulgaria
2016, Bulgarika award ‘Best young sculptor”, Varna, Bulgaria
2016, SKLO, Czech Cultural Center, Sofia, Bulgaria
2016, “EXPRESSION ART” , “Largo” Gallery, Varna, Bulgaria
2016, “GIFT OF LOVE”, National Palace of the Culture, Sofia, Bulgaria
2016, Organisation of Children’s University, Uniart gallery at the New Bulgarian University, Sofia, Bulgaria
2016, Glass design, Youth House, Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria
2016, “NO LIMITS”, National Art Gallery, Sofia, Bulgaria
2016, Projections of Fire, Art alley Gallery, Sofia, Bulgaria
2016, Angel’s Miracle, Charity Campaign, Central Military Club, Sofia, Bulgaria
2015, Stories from Glass, Uniart Gallery, Sofia, Bulgaria
2015, Exits to the Future, Industrial Gallery, Sofia, Bulgaria
2015, Exhibition at the National Palace of the Culture, Sofia, Bulgaria
2015, Sixth Festival of the Contemporary Ceramics, “Rayko Aleksiev” Gallery, Sofia, Bulgaria
2015, Parade of Talents, Military Club, Sofia, Bulgaria
2015, Trajectory of the Art Exhibition, Vidima Gallery, Sevlievo, Bulgaria
2015, 50/50 Exhibition, Art alley Gallery, Sofia, Bulgaria
2014, “Less is More” – Fifth Festival of the Contemporary Ceramics, Sofia Press Exhibition Space, Sofia, Bulgaria
2014, International Festival of Glass, “Rayko Aleksiev” Gallery, Sofia, Bulgaria
2013, “Arctic-Vulnerable and Beautiful” Exhibition, Laboratory for Urban Design-Transformers, Sofia, Bulgaria
2013, Glass and Fire Exhibition, Museum at New Bulgarian University, Sofia, Bulgaria
2012, Small Format Exhibition, Lessedra Gallery, Sofia, Bulgaria
2012, Exhibition at the Palace of the Culture, “Lyuben Gaydarov” Gallery, Pernik, Bulgaria
2011, The Universe of Computer Music, Sofia, Bulgaria