Apocalypsarium

Expressive painting representation, clear intensity and energetic paste-like spreads of color or distinctive plasticity are the characteristic features of Lyube Petrov’s painting technique. A wide scale of means of expression foreshadows the semantic diversity of fantastic stories, hidden in grotesque pieces that are filled with sarcasm, comical aesthetics, hyperboles and humor but also deeper thoughts about the relationship between people and the nature, which lead to apocalyptic endings.

In his creative development Bulgarian painter Lyube Petrov has come upon the topics that are tightly connected with the cycle of life and death. In his pieces he combines traditions, symbols and elements of Eastern and Western culture on the field of motives from the history of art comprising Christian iconography, mythological motives, but also abstract topics inspired by sci-fi literature and film. With his work he voices his ironic comment on the current state of civilization, which he calls the “Apocalypsarium”, i.e. the beginning of the end and through this he directly calls for the breaking points of human existence. That is why he makes such an enormous effort to capture the moment. With the author’s own words, the apocalypse is ever-present, never stopping so constantly moving and in the process it mutates. The characters are caught up in somewhat of a trance, left alone in the world, sucked in by a natural catastrophe – apocalypse – whilst the story stays a mystery for the spectators; it could only be guessed and increases the excitement from an unfinished story. The stopping of the deciding moment is covered in a magical aura, however the content of the pieces has a deep mental foundation and gives evidence of philosophical maturity of the young author.

Lyube Petrov explores not only the inexhaustibility of the canvas but also the purpose of human existence through the bizarre characters, who demonstrate the power of thought of a being facing the apocalypse. The figures become the superheroes of our future.

https://www.galerietancicidum.cz/apokalypsarium