The aim of this site is to make the world familiar with the art of Ivan Shikerov. Art, which was created with tremendous vision, positive energy and colour taste.
Ivan Shikerov (1928 - 1999) was a modern Bulgarian artist. He made his oil paintings in the second half of 20-th Century. He was a remarkable person and had a very interesting life. The memories will live forever in those, who had a chance to meet him.
Although, he now is not with us, he left a legacy: his Art. The time is up to publish the artworks of Ivan Shikerov, to give a chance to everyone to appreciate their aesthetic value. It won't take long before the art historians and art critics will include the Artist in their books and will place his art among the art classic. Place, which Ivan Shikerov fully deserves.
Generally, there were three creative periods in the development of the Artist. Till 1970 his style was shaping: he was studying the modern European art, the Renaissance and also following the Greek-tracian rich vein of art traditions. At the same time, Ivan Shikerov had to subdue his creative preferences and officially followed the line of the political regime: with strong 'realistic' fabula and working class heroes. The colours of that communist art were dark and gray. Any screaming colours and disharmony had to be avoided.
The second period is between 1970 - 1990. The Author made his name on the official scene. He has taken part in 14 national exhibitions. Some of his paintings were bought by the biggest national galeries. Although, the artist was never a member of the official 'National group of painters'. He was left always in the marginalia and never received recognition and prices. Partly because of the fact, that in his oil paintings he started inserting the modern art (mainly - abstractionism) into the official social realistic line. Most importantly, in this period Ivan Shikerov created his little abstract paintings, which have been the basis of his art in the final years of his life.
The third and final period was the last decade of 20-th century. The time, when Ivan Shikerov created his best paintings. Ironically, the pick of the genius was reached without any note from the officials and art critics. They all preferred to close their eyes and leave the Artist die in silence. Feeling the physical weakening, Ivan Shikerov let his extraordinary talent take charge and was painting dominantly abstract art. He was not interested in the crowded world around, not particularly in his paintings. He was splitting the material, deconstructing the world and the space, exposing the deepest places of the soul and finding the limited basics of the creation. He was looking for God by disposing the covers and clothes, by looking beyond Good and Bad. Respectively, he expressed his brilliant colour skills and used all spectrum of visual options. He was shaping by de-shaping the matter.