Interest in contemporary art in Bulgaria is growing, and the development of a sustainable art market requires changes in the working conditions of artists and private galleries, Sofia Art Fair founder and main organizer Suni Danadzha told BTA. According to her, this year’s fair featured new galleries from countries that had not been represented before, and interest in the event has also grown among school groups and foreign visitors to Sofia.
The 4th Sofia Art Fair took place in Sofia Tech Park from October 8 to 11. The event brought together 27 galleries and exhibitors from eight countries, presenting works by 88 artists from 17 countries. The programme included painting, sculpture, photography, installations, video, digital, and interdisciplinary art. Running parallel to the exhibition from October 9 to 11 was the SAF Talks conference programme, dedicated to the development of contemporary art, the art market, collecting, and engaging with audiences.
When preparations for the first edition of Sofia Art Fair began in 2023, the organizers heard opinions that such an event could not become reality due to the underdeveloped art market in Bulgaria. “The more people learn about contemporary art, the more interesting it becomes to them. They are enriched, they learn a lot, and their interest deepens,” said Danadzha. She added that this trend is also observed among people who do not regularly visit galleries.
Among the issues the Sofia Art Fair team intends to continue working on after this year’s edition are the professional development of artists, the status of artist, and the operating conditions for private galleries. Danadzha said the organizers had sent an open letter to the Culture Minister and had held a meeting with him to discuss opportunities for the sector’s long-term development.
“One of the problems is that private galleries are, in practice, treated like stores or restaurants, even though they are very different from ordinary commercial establishments,” she noted. According to Danadzha, changes are also needed that can be achieved through legislative measures.
For the 4th Sofia Art Fair, the organizers plan to place a stronger emphasis on large-scale outdoor installations. According to Danadzha, the outdoor area is very important because it allows for a connection with the urban environment and a different way of perceiving large-scale works.
Stefan Stoyanov, Creative Director of Sofia Art Fair, defined the concept of this year’s edition with the phrase “If Forever Was Not Enough.” In his words, the idea is related to time and how art remains after us.
“I have tried to showcase exceptionally avant-garde booths and galleries, from which I demanded they give their very best,” Stoyanov said. He explained that the participants were selected by a jury, on which he had one vote, and that he then worked with about 70% of the galleries on the design of their booths. Stoyanov highlighted the various approaches to presenting the artworks – ranging from booths with expressive forms and a strong visual presence to minimalist designs.
On collecting, Stoyanov commented that the market in Bulgaria is growing, adding that, in his view, buyer interest was greater than expected. He reported that he had made sales totalling over EUR 250,000 on the first day of the fair, adding that preparations for these sales had taken more than three years.
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