Сияна Струнчева | Siyana Struncheva

+359878798264 | s.strun@gmail.com

About me

My inspiration is drawn from different ideas so I could not limit myself to a particular style, genre, concept. I would like to try everything. What I do fills me with positive energy. In my work I experiment with different materials, bases, techniques – I like the unpredictability in the result. I like contriving so sometimes I make the frames for my paintings myself, using wood, wire, cord. I like when the final product is a result of different stages of work and preparation. Sometimes I use old window frames as frames for my paintings and bring them to life once again.  I get excited about everyday objects that evoke nostalgic feelings about the past, or ones that provoke philosophical thoughts. In many of my works, I use the idea of stone and wood.

The beauty and colors of nature fill me with both creative and vital energy. The majesty and magic of both the sea and the mountains can be my inspiration. I can be impressed not only by the color of the sea at sunrise, but also by a single pebble or shell. I can be amazed, not only by the sky above the mountain at sunset, but also by a single twig, root, leaf or flower.

Other than painting I am also interested in art photography, illustrations, graphic and web design. I have graduated from Konstantin Preslavsky University of Shumen, Bulgaria with master degree in Fine arts teaching. I teach children and students in fine arts. We participate in exhibitions, plein airs, art competitions, win prizes. I hope I am for them the inspiration, which are they for me.

Solo exhibitions

  • Solo exhibition “Legend of the sails” – Under One Roof – co-working art space, open studio and gallery – Varna, august 2023, curator Stanislava Georgieva
  • 14-th edition of European Night of Museums – May 14, 2022 “Rhodope Greatness” exhibition and catalog – introduction and meeting with the authorRegional Historical Museum “Stoyu Shishkov”Smolyan.
  • “Rhodope Greatness” – solo exhibition at Regional Historical Museum “Stoyu Shishkov”Smolyan, October 21, 2021. The exhibition contains portraits of important figures in history, culture and education of the Rhodope, and RHM “Stoyu Shishkov” – Smolyan issued a catalog combining the portraits of these great people with brief historical notes about their life and activity. The exhibition also includes paintings and graphics inspired by beauty, energy, colors of Rhodope nature, music, traditions, costumes.

  • The show „Usta Slavo“ (master Slavo) was held from 15th until the 30th of January, 2018 at Art Gallery Petar StaykovSmolyan, Bulgaria. New works of art are being added to the exhibition in Smolyan.
  • The solo exhibition „Usta Slavo“ (master Slavo) was held at Hall “Architect Stoyo Velkovski” at Community Center “Agreement – 1883” at Slaveyno, region Smolyan, Bulgaria from 5th until the 31st of August, 2017. as a part of the celebration of 114th anniversary from Ilinden – Preobrazhenie Uprising, when I received an invitation to present the show in Smolyan as well. The exhibition was held for charity, as the aim was gathering  resources for The Old School building, which is now Exhibition hall and architectural symbol of Slaveyno and needs a lot of repairs. The cash resources gathered in august was given to The Association for development of Slaveyno. The exhibition was inspired from the architectural heritage left by the famous master-builder Slavo Raychevski (1870 – 1943), born in Slaveyno. He built the Bell tower of Church “St. Prophet Iliya”, and also architectural symbol of Slavyeno.

Prizes

  • National competition „Wake in the sea“ – 2022 of Bulgarian seafarers’ union – Varna, Bulgaria, edition – encouraging prize for painting
  • National competition „Wake in the sea“ – 2021 of Bulgarian seafarers’ union – Varna, Bulgaria, edition – IIIrd prize for painting
  • National competition „Wake in the sea“ – 2019 of Bulgarian seafarers’ union – Varna, Bulgaria, edition – IIIrd prize for painting
  • National competition „Wake in the sea“ – 2018 of Bulgarian seafarers’ union – Varna, Bulgaria, edition – encouraging prize for painting
  • National competition „Wake in the sea“ – 2019 of Bulgarian seafarers’ union – Varna, Bulgaria, edition – IInd prize for photography
  • Collective award of the municipality of Shumen for art for 2015 for First students video art festival “Public and personal”

Project synthesizing the science and the art

  • Illustration and book cover for “To the Ocean with Love, Faith and Hope”, author professor Iliya Peev –  ISBN 978-619-7600-19-3, issued by the Sea world, Varna, 2022
  • Illustrations for the article  ”Hermeneutic of seamen’s syndrome „Caught by the iron” and programmes  for well-being, psychological and physical health of crew members in long voyages”, author professor Iliya Peev. The article is in top 5 winning articles in the  competition ”Explain the science” of the magazine “Bulgarian science”, published in issue 110, 2018.
  • Illustrations and book cover for the monograph “Propaedeutic of maritime psychology and maritime activity”, issued by the Medical university publishing house at Varna, Bulgaria, author professor Iilya Peev – ISBN 978-619-7137-98-9, 2016.
  • Graphic design and processing on archival documents in a project led by Iliya Peev “Circular N7 of Military ministry from 9th of January 1881 about establishing Nautical school in Rousse”, published in the Jubilee paper “Vaptsarovec” in May, 2016, dedicated to the 135th anniversary of establishing Naval Academy “Nikola Vaptsarov”.

Participation at international, national and regional group exhibitions

  • XXII International Print Biennial Varna – Art gallery “Boris Hristov” – Varna, Bulgaria,  2023
  • National competition „Wake in the sea“ of Bulgarian seafarers’ union– Varna, Bulgaria, 2023 edition
  • Exhibition Serigraphy with ANUKk studio at Under One Roof – Varna, 2023
  • National exhibition „The woman – inspiration“ – Art gallery „Nedyalko Karaneshev“, Gorna Oryahovica, Bulgaria, 2023
  • National exhibition „Love and wine“ – Art gallery „Nedyalko Karaneshev“, Gorna Oryahovica, Bulgaria, 2023
  • National winter art salon – Art gallery „Nedyalko Karaneshev“, Gorna Oryahovica, Bulgaria, 2022
  • National competition „Wake in the sea“ of Bulgarian seafarers’ union– Varna, Bulgaria, 2022 edition
  • National exhibition „The woman – inspiration“ – Art gallery „Nedyalko Karaneshev“, Gorna Oryahovica, Bulgaria, 2022
  • Spring exhibition of women artists“ – Art gallery „Hristo Tzokev“ – Gabrovo, Bulgaria, 2022
  • National exhibition „Love and wine“ – Art gallery „Nedyalko Karaneshev“, Gorna Oryahovica, Bulgaria, 2022
  • National competition „Wake in the sea“ of Bulgarian seafarers’ union– Varna, Bulgaria, 2021 edition
  • International contest-exhibition „Bulgarian Alphabet“ – Historical park – Neofit Rilski, Bulgaria, 2021
  • Spring exhibition of women artists“ – Art gallery „Hristo Tzokev“ – Gabrovo, Bulgaria, 2021
  • Vth Balkan Quadrennial of Painting, Art Gallery – Stara Zagora, Bulgaria, 2020
  • Xth International biennial of small forms, Art gallery “Iliya Beshkov” – Pleven, Bulgaria, 2020
  • Spring exhibition of women artists“ – Art gallery „Hristo Tzokev“ – Gabrovo, Bulgaria, 2020
  • XVIIIth annual exhibition  Format 30/30 at Astri Gallery– Sofia, Bulgaria, 2019
  • National fine art exhibition 2019 – Art gallery “Dimitur  Dobrovich” – Sliven, Bulgaria, 2019
  • National competition „Wake in the sea“ of Bulgarian seafarers’ union– Varna, Bulgaria, 2019 edition
  • Spring exhibition of women artists“ – Art gallery „Hristo Tzokev“ – Gabrovo, Bulgaria, 2019
  • Exhibition “Code: Visual”, dedicated on the 25th anniversary of the department “Visual arts, theory and methods” at Konstantin Preslavsky University of Shumen, Art gallery “Professor Nikola Marinov” – Targovishte, Bulgaria, 2019
  • Exhibition “Code: Visual” dedicated on the 25th anniversary of the department “Visual arts, theory and methods” at Konstantin Preslavsky University of Shumen, Art gallery “Elena Karamihailova” – Shumen, Bulgaria, 2018
  • XVIIth annual exhibition  Format 30/30 at Astri Gallery – Sofia, Bulgaria, 2018
  • Biennal of contemporary art “Temporary balance – endless shoks“ – Art gallery „Hristo Tzokev“ – Gabrovo, Bulgaria, 2018
  • National competition „Wake in the sea“ of Bulgarian seafarers’ union– Varna, Bulgaria, 2018 edition
  • National competition „Wake in the sea“ of Bulgarian seafarers’ union – Varna, Bulgaria, 2017 edition
  • National competition „Wake in the sea“ of Bulgarian seafarers’ union – Varna, Bulgaria, 2016 edition
  • XVth annual exhibition  Format 30/30 at Astri Gallery – Sofia, Bulgaria, 2016
  • Annual exhibition “St. Luka” of The Association of Varna Artists, Art gallery “Boris Hristov” – Varna, Bulgaria,  2016
  • VIIIth International biennial of small forms, Art gallery “Iliya Beshkov” – Pleven, Bulgaria, 2016
  • Regional group exhibition „Seen/Unseen“, Art gallery “Graffit” – Varna, Bulgaria, 2016
  • XXIth National traditional exhibition  of artist teachers, Exhibition halls “Rafael Mihaylov”Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria, 2015
  • XXIIth Biennal of Humor and Satire in Art, Museum House of humour and satire – Gabrovo, Bulgaria, 2015
  • “ART TRANSFER” – group exhibition  of Shumen University students and lecturers at Center for Graphic and Visual Research ACADEMYBelgrade, Serbia, 2015
  • Exhibition-plein-air with students and teachers from Konstantin Preslavsky University of Shumen,  at University botanic gardens – Balchik, Bulgaria, 2015
  • Participation at the First students video art festival “Public and personal” – Shumen, Bulgaria, 2014Team award of Shumen in art for 2015