Artist statement

In my paintings, my main object is humanity. I am fascinated by it: our capacity to conquer the earth and the space, our capability of doing great things, acts of kindness, mercy and compassion. In the same time, we are so fragile, frightened and mortal.

Whether I paint figurative or abstract, my paintings are always in between this dichotomy: fragility and eternity. For because of the fragility we are in need of each other, and because of the eternity that need makes sense.

Biography

Toni Popov is an artist that creates through a variety of mediums, such as writing stories, screenplays, poems and painting. After a prolonged period of writing poetry, he published some of his poems in two collections of poetry books.

He begun to paint professionally in 2011. Beside his solo exhibitions, he has participated in several group exhibitions in Macedonia and abroad. Toni’s works, up to now, are part of private collections in seventeen countries.

In 2014, “Moments.Org” from Charlotte, USA, made a short documentary about his work.

From 2016, Toni has been spending a few weeks at a time in Norway where he collaborates with other artists. In Norway, beside painting, Toni holds workshops on theory and practical application for young artists.

In 2018, “Metanoia” publishing house has published a book from his project “100 days of mini art”.

In 2020, in Ohrid, Toni started the summer school for children “Try art”. As a part of the school, up until now, he was mentoring more than 100 children.

Since 2022, he is a member of NFUK, Norwegian Association of independent artists.

Toni Popov is born 1975 in Skopje. Together with his wife and three children, he now lives in Ohrid.

 

Solo exhibitions:

2023, “Transience”, Cultural Information Center, Skopje, Macedoniа

2022, “Man wears out imperceptibly”, Oslo, Norway

2022, “Man wears out imperceptibly”, Metanoja Gallery, Skopje, Macedonia

2022, “Man wears out imperceptibly”, Europe House, Strumica, Macedonia

2019, “I once was lost”, Metanoja Gallery, Skopje, Macedonia

2019, “Searching for myself”, SAS Gallery, Skopje, Macedonia

2018, “Abstract poetry”, Public Room, Skopje, Macedonia

2015, “Come closer”, Solo Exhibition, National Museum of Ohrid, Macedonia

 

Selected group exhibitions:

2021, Drawing and graphics, Bitola, Macedonia

2021, “Metamorphosis”, Europe House, Strumica, Macedonia

2020, “Self-portrait in isolation”, Strumica, Macedonia

2018, “Female model in art”, Strumica, Macedonia

2017, “Imperfect space”, Group exhibition, National Museum, Strumica, Macedonia

2015, International art fair “Paratissima”, Group exhibition, Torino, Italy

2015, “The sound of art”, International Group exhibition, National Museum of Ohrid, Macedonia

2013, IFES International Group Art Exhibition, Aix en Provence, France

 

Commissions:

2020, Poster for the short film “Bygone Billy” (USA)

 

Residences:

2017, Undheim – Corner of hope, Oslo, Norway

2015, Tolne GGG, Sindal, Denmark

2015, Glo’Art, Neerharen, Belgium

 

Bibliography:

2020, “Busker”, Short film, InLighten, USA

2018, “100 days of mini art”, Book about the project, Metanoia Publishing House,   Skopje, Macedonia

2014, “The orphan painter, Short documentary, Sizemore Shea, Moments Org.  Charlotte, NC