About
"When observing Tanya’s artwork, there is no need for explanations. You simply delve into the moment and somehow, really unknowingly, just partake in that experience. What is painted, suddenly becomes what is lived. What is felt. What is experienced… even if just vicariously. In a very subtle manner, through her artwork, Tanya personally delivers to you the keys to freedom. In a peculiar way, she is able to depict a sort of liberation that is of the type not confined to a structure, but more so, a liberation of the soul."
Efrat Cybulkiewicz I Writer & Founder of Ar(t)moir
Tanya Atanasova is a Bulgarian born (1978), Belgium based realist artist. She earned a Bachelor of Applied Arts from National Academy of Art (Sofia, Bulgaria). Tanya graduated with maximum score for final work and complemented her studies with one year Erasmus-stay at Sint-Lucas Art Academy in Ghent, Belgium and a Master Class by artist Eloy Morales (Madrid, 2016).
Dedicated to big size non-traditional portraits, Tanya started weaving her way through contemporary realism. She is now working from her own studio in Antwerp (Belgium) – one of Europe’s most important cities for art, design and culture.
In 2019 / 2020 she took part in several group exhibitions including “Painting Today / Pintando Hoy” (curated by Didi Menendez for MEAM Barcelona, Spain), "WOMAN" at James Baird Gallery (Newfoundland, Canada), “Adorn me”, "The Art Of The Nude" and "Shelter" - excusive online projects (curated by Carol Hodes, Didi Menendez and Dr. Samuel Peralta)...
She is also preparing a large solo show, that will open in February 2021 at Cultuurhuis De Bijl, Zoersel (near Antwerp, Belgium) and several group exhibitions including “International Women's Day 2021 Exhibition” at Museu Europeu d’Art Modern (MEAM, Barcelona, Spain) and "Homo Sum" - a duo-exhibition at Timmermans-Opsomersmuseum (Lier, Belgium).
Her works have been shown in numerous group and solo exhibitions in museums, galleries & art fairs in Bulgaria, Belgium, Germany, France, Spain, Netherlands, USA and Canada.
Her work has been published in: Fine Art Connoisseur (USA), American Art Collector (USA), PoetsArtists (USA), BOOOOOOOM (USA), The Guide Artists (Spain), Artelibre (Spain), Clatia (China), Beautiful Bizarre (Australia), Ophelia Magazine (Argentina), 100% EXPO (Belgium), KunstWerkt (Belgium), Marike (Russia), Ar(t)moir (Italy), Hyperrealism Magazine (Italy), All about hyperrealism and hyperrealist painters (France)...
In addition to her artistic career, Tanya has worked as an illustrator and a painting and sculpting teacher in Belgium.
Personal info
Date of birth: 04/07/1978
Place of birth: Pirdop, Bulgaria
Nationality: Bulgarian, Belgian
Place of residence: Antwerp, Belgium
Education
2016 - Workshop by Eloy Morales
2001 - 2005 National Academy of Art, Sofia, Bulgaria
Major: Applied Arts - Ceramics
2003 - 2004 Hogeschool Voor Wetenschap & Kunst / Sint - Lucas / Beeldende Kunst, Ghent, Belgium
1993 - 1998 Vocational School of Ceramics and Glass, Elin-Pelin, Bulgaria
Major: Design in Silicate Production
Recognition & Awards
2022 Included into the Lunar Codex collection with six works hosted in two time capsules - "Philip" (in The Nova-C Lander) and "Philip dyeing his beard and eyebrows with henna", "Smokey eyes - Joëlle", "Lou", "Jens" & "Tiger" (in The Griffin mission) / The Moon
2021 Finalist at "Nationale prijs voor schilderkunst van de stad Ieper - Louise Dehem" with "Philip" & "Philip dyeing his beard and eyebrows with henna" / Belgium
2020 Semi-finalist at Art Renewal Center with "Boudoir portrait of Alessandro Tomassetti" / USA
2020 Prize winner at Global Pride Day 2020 by Ello and Superfine with "Tiger" / USA
2020 First prize at Boynes Emerging Artist Award with “Lou” / Australia
2019 Finalist at “Ongezien #4” – competition / Port of Antwerp / Antwerp, Belgium