Review

There has hardly been a higher aspiration in art than the one striving to minimize the form.

Quite some artists and designers have been led by the conviction that “less is actually more”.
If we consider successful attempts in this direction, Mr. Dimitar Minkov’s works are an epitome of this. His assemblages take us as far back as the age-old woodwork tradition, yet, their ethnographic background has a modern aspect. Artifacts from the past have been brought back to a new life in stylistically meticulous compositions. There seems to be an inherent harmony between warm and cold in the assemblages and the aspect of color has nothing to do with that concord. The warm, soft wood has been processed by the rational and ever-assessing nature of the artist aiming to organize a perfect opus. This, however, does not make his works grave and non-communicative. Rather, they arrest the viewer’s attention with their fine silhouette and highly artistic value.
     Mr. Minkov’s pictures are easily recognized on the plain of geometric abstraction. The combination of sophisticated colors, simplified forms and skillful stroke of brush of smooth and relief lead to an undoubtedly successful artistic outcome.
     His laconic expressiveness gets us to remember the images of the non-figurative art form of the West, yet, taking us as far East as the Zen conception of the world and the universe.
     There is always a clear core in his compositions around which all other elements are arranged. This definitely creates a mesmerizing effect on the viewer: you are called upon to concentrate and forget about the chaotic day of modern life.
     I can now recall what a friend of mine told me in a discourse about art once before “The only works I keep at home are abstract. I never get bored with them as I always find something new there.” In this respect, Mr. Minkov’s elegant and sophisticated works turn out to be an essential accent upon various interior-design decisions. Not unlike the short lyric form “haiku”, the objective is not to indulge yourself with forms, words and ideas, but to let inspiration lead you to the innermost nature of things…
                                                                                                      Hristi Stoilcheva , Art critic
                                                                                                      15 April 2005,   New York


          The abstract expressionist mixed media paintings exhibit attention to rigorous color and capture elements of textural nuance and emotive verve. The pigment appears in layers as though the color is woven into a dense surface plane of abstract figuration. The thematic milieu is skillfully revealed throughout the presentation. Wonderful work.
     I feel that the work is marketable and in keeping with the style and quality of work that we like to represent and exhibit at Agora Gallery.

                                                                                                                    Angela Di Bello
                                                                                                          Agora Gallery Director
                                                                                Editor-in-Chief of ArtisSpectrum Magazine