GALYA STAMBOLIEVA
(b. 1978, Sofia, Bulgaria)
Lives and works in Sofia, Bulgaria
Artistic Practice
Contemporary artist working across sculpture, drawing and spatial investigation.
Her research-based practice, developed since 2000, explores the relationship between body, identity and spatial belonging.
Selected Exhibitions
2019 — Summer Salon, Islington Art Factory, London, UK
2018 — Secret Art Basingstoke, Basingstoke, UK
2015 — The Paper in Contemporary Art, Paris, France
2014 — Yordan Parushev National Contemporary Art Contest, Bulgaria
2009 — Man and Nature, Dobrich, Bulgaria
2004 — St. St. Cyril & Methodius Foundation Exhibition, Sofia, Bulgaria
2003 — Maryn Varbanov Exhibition–Contest, Bulgaria
2003 — Bulgarian Village Dream Project, Varbovo, Bulgaria
2002 — Varna Summer International Theatre Festival, Varna, Bulgaria
2002 — Young Artists Sculpture Exhibition, Sofia, Bulgaria
2000–2001 — group exhibitions, Sofia, Bulgaria
Residencies & Symposiums
2005 — National Metal Sculpture Symposium, Silistra, Bulgaria
2005 — National Metal Sculpture Symposium, Radnevo, Bulgaria
2002 — International Ceramics Sculpture Symposium, Constanta, Romania
2002 — International Paper Symposium, Kranevo, Bulgaria
2001 — National Wood Sculpture Symposium, Barzia, Bulgaria
2001 — National Wood Sculpture Symposium, Yasna Poliana, Bulgaria
Awards
2004 — Third Prize, St. St. Cyril & Methodius Foundation, Bulgaria
2003 — First Prize, Maryn Varbanov Exhibition–Contest, Bulgaria
2000 — Drawing Award, Sofia, Bulgaria
Research Practice
2016–ongoing — Independent artistic research and development
Long-term investigation structured through three interconnected research fields:
• Body / Form
• Self / Portrait
• Belonging / Space
Education
2001–2002 — MA Sculpture, National Academy of Arts, Sofia, Bulgaria
1997–2001 — BA Sculpture, National Academy of Arts, Sofia, Bulgaria