Kovatchev's retrospective exhibition

Benalmádena takes us to the land of fantastic realism, featuring etchings by the Bulgarian artist.

The Benalmádena Centro de Exposiciones (Exhibition Centre) is running a retrospective exhibition gathering works by Bulgarian artist Valentín Kovatchev, through 16 September. The art show features 125 artworks dated 1959 to 2007. The exhibit contains drawings, xylographs, dry point prints, etchings, watercolours and oil paintings.

Born in 1953, Kovatchev felt strongly attracted to the art of drawing early in his life. He studied at the School of Fine Arts, specialising in engraving. In 1987, he invented the etching technique, which earned him international renown. He doesn't draw any sketches and he prints his work himself.

Kovatchev's perspective -suggestive of dreams- recalls Dalí's, and some experts call his style 'fantastic realism' -his drawings show why it's been called this way. His etchings, however, are made with great attention to details. Mythology, bulls, horses... these are the themes the artist represents from his particular point of view.

The exhibition includes an interesting documentary on the Bulgarian artist and the art of engraving.

Information of Benalmadena
Kovatchev's homepage
Town hall of Benalmádena
Benalmadena Car hire