I met Andon Donev on the most famous art market, which is organized in Greece and in which participating are all prestigious local and foreign galleries. The exhibition is taking place in an Olympic size taekwondo hall and is transformed into a big installation, which is brought to life by all visitors. Andon Donev is young – a bit over 30 but his paintings are part of big collections and his potential is about to conquer the world. Andon speaks perfect Bulgarian, even though he has spent his whole life in Greece…

How would you describe yourself as a visual artist?

I cannot make a specific description of myself, because I have been dealing also with other forms of art, like performances, video art and music – I am playing the drums, which very often I connect to my drawings. What interests me the most is the feeling and not the visual result.

How would you define your style?

I can define it very simply – modern art.

How do the industrial and the emotional intertwine in your sketches?

I am taking ready mechanical details from old encyclopedias and they defy emotions by themselves. I take away its goal and the deformation appears through the painting, so those details give birth to many emotions.

Is there a modern art trend to which you believe you belong?

I do not believe there is such a trend.

What influenced your last project?

My childhood drawings influenced me.

Tell me something more about your project?

This is a project, about which I have been thinking for the last few years and now came the time to come to life. I have been drawing with a nib and ink ever since I was five years old and graphics has always been leading in everything I do.

Do you have any obstructive ideas in regards to your work?

My obstructive ideas are connected with fishing, war and sex.

What associations are connected to your latest works?

The emotions, which provoke my obstructive ideas.

Who is your favorite artist?

I admire Hieronymous Bosch and Matthew Barney.

Are you intending of making an exhibition in Bulgaria?

At some point in the future, I would like to make an exhibition in Bulgaria and I have been thinking over some serious offers.

You have been part of many Greek exhibitions with many famous visual artists. Do you feel that you have succeeded in your field, here in Greece?

Of course I feel this way, especially because I am represented by one of the biggest galleries here – Kalfayan Galleries and my works have entered many big collections. But my goal was never to succeed in Greece. I am interested in the modern art reality.

What the trend followed or aimed for by Greek visual artists?

Right now there is no particular art trend in Greece.

Does the market influence artists?

Real artists – no.

Did the economic crisis influence the art market?

Of course it influenced the market but this is something, which will pass and art stays forever.

Do you need utopias? If you do, which is your utopia?

I do not need utopias. I like the truth, reality and the routine.

What is the one particular place/gallery where you would like to have an exhibition?

I am already where I want to be. For October, I am preparing my second independent exhibition in Kalfayan Gallery in Athens.

Where do you see yourself in two years?

I see myself working hard, because I already have scheduled two independent exhibitions in 2010 in Rome and London.

Marina Nikolova