About the Artist

Ralitsa Stoitseva | Ралица Стоицева

Artist | Художничка

Ralitsa Stoitseva, a native of Sofia, was born on May 14th and has made this vibrant city her home and artistic playground. Her journey in the realm of art began at the National Academy of Art in Sofia, where she honed her skills and ultimately earned her Fine Art degree in 1992. She is also proudly affiliated with the Union of Bulgarian Artists (UBA), a testament to her commitment to the craft.

Stoitseva’s artistic prowess is deeply rooted in the rich traditions of European art, and she skillfully wields both oil and acrylic paints on canvas. In doing so, she not only pays homage to these time-honored techniques but also reinterprets them in a contemporary context, breathing new life and relevance into her work.

Her exceptional talent has not gone unnoticed, as her canvases have found a cherished place in diverse collections, including the prestigious National Art Gallery in Sofia, the Art-Dialogue Foundation in Paris, and numerous private collections spanning Bulgaria, France, Germany, the United States, and beyond.

Over the course of her career, Stoitseva has held more than 18 solo exhibitions, each a testament to her creative evolution and artistic depth. Additionally, she has actively contributed to collaborative projects, further expanding her artistic horizons.

Some notable exhibitions in her portfolio include:

2017 – Sredets Gallery with the Ministry of Culture, Sofia – Solo exhibition

2017 – Bulgarian Culturel Institute – collective exhibition, Prague

2017 – L’Institut Culturel Bulgare – collective exhibition, Paris

2016 – Art SCOPE, Basel

2016 – Cité Internationale des Arts residency, Paris

2015 – Natali Gallery, Sofia

2014 – Yuzina Gallery, Sofia

2013 – Anna Mauer Gallery, Berlin

2012 – Sredets Gallery with the Ministry of Culture, Sofia

2011 – Impression Art Gallery, Sofia

2009 – Rakursi Art Gallery, Sofia

I have always found the human mind to be a fascinating and endless source of inspiration. It encompasses a vast spectrum of emotions, from profound feelings to deep-seated suffering and aggression. This exploration of human experience has led me to ponder the stark contrast between empathy and understanding on one hand, and the unfortunate presence of intolerance and xenophobia in our world on the other.

I believe that, as inhabitants of this world, we must confront the precarious edge where the sea meets the sky, where the forces of gravity are in perpetual dance. It is precisely at this juncture that we must pause, take a profound breath, and reflect on our own identity.

My most recent project, RESPIRO, stands as both a reflection upon and a challenge to the harsh and often unbearable facets of our contemporary reality. It is a stark reminder that we, as a collective, bear a profound responsibility. My aspiration with this project is to ignite recognition of my plea for humanity—a plea for acceptance and understanding that transcends the boundaries of social status, religious beliefs, and sexual orientation.

The pillars upon which I believe we must construct our future are Love, Knowledge, Wisdom, and Understanding. These words, which hold a special place in my heart, are engraved upon some of my paintings.

The journey of life is an unceasing ebb and flow, at once serene and suffocating, enchanting and occasionally harsh. Life bestows what is essential and takes away what is surplus, even when this contradicts our desires. Yet, the undeniable truth remains that life is a treasure worth embracing, for it is woven together by fragments of love that compose the meaningful tapestry we will forever cherish.