Today we want to share with you the story of a Bulgarian artist, whose work you’ve probably seen, but you may not know who he is.
His is real name is Stanislav Trifonov, and his artistic name; NASIMO, he was born in 1979 in Targovishte, Bulgaria.
And started spraying aerosol paint on walls right after the fall of the communist regime in the early ’90s, he is considered to be a pioneer for the Bulgarian graffiti art culture, as well as one of the most proactive graffiti and fine art muralists from the Balkans.
His monumental works can be seen in all the Balkan countries, Great Britain, Germany, Austria, Italy, Belgium, Poland, Portugal, Turkey, Russia, Canada, India, and China, sometimes spanning across multi-story buildings.
And he wants to talk to the expat community in Bulgaria about his passion and views.
What’s your background?.
I was born in Targovishte in Bulgaria in 1979.
I started to paint on walls in the early 90’s and several years later I graduated from the University of Fine Arts in Veliko Tarnovo. Since then I have worked actively in combining classical painting with contemporary graffiti. I have painted murals in countries almost all around the world.
What does your work aim to say?
Mostly the truth and outline the beauties. I create art that reflects my personality, my inner world, and my point of view. I believe that if I put more effort into becoming a better person everything will be alright.
How does your work comment on current social issues?
Who are your biggest influences?
Some of my favourite contemporary artists are Shepard Fairey, Tristan Eaton, Cobra, Aryz, Sainer and Bezd, Sat.One, Axel Void as well as many more. Some of my biggest inspirations from the old masters like Bouguereau, Titian, Velasquez, Rubens, Van Gock, Klimt, Shile, Lucian Froid and many many more.
During the last few years, my work has been more involved with the eternal issues which are important for society in every moment of life. I am all the time influenced by the current problems but I always try to put the lesson on the big picture of eternal values.
5. How have you developed your career?
I started my career from graffiti vandalism for which I’ve been many times in conflict with the state railways and police but 25 years later the Bulgarian National Railways approached me with the proposal to paint a train engine for them which is now travelling the way to from Sofia to the Varna or Burgas and back every day. That was a huge and fun contrast in my career. In the beginning of this year I curated and participated in the first graffiti art exhibition in the National Gallery in Sofia.
Those events speak enough about the change during the last 25 years.
Which current art world trends are you following?
I usually don’t follow trends but I try to create my own ones. Nowadays I try to emphasize more modernism, but still keeping the classical foundation, using mixed techniques and media.
What’s your favorite artwork?
The upcoming one. All the rest are all proven imperfect.
What is your dream project?
A one that will change life for good.
How do you see the new generations of Bulgarian artists, and if you have a message for them?
I see many talents, some of them polished and others need to get more into the deep and improve their core methodology that will make their work better. My advice to them is to make sure they have hardened their foundation before going out showing the world what they are able.
Where people may know more about you and your work?
I constantly explore different approaches and directions and work on all kinds of projects, so I’m sure I can always surprise you with something you may not have expected, as I often surprise myself.
In 2016 Nasimo was nominated for Enlightener of the Year by the Bulgarian National Television and FM+ Radio. And in 2018, he was awarded for his contribution towards National Culture in the category of Fine Arts by the Municipal of Targovishte.
His larger than life murals can span across 10 story buildings. His creations reside all over the world. Besides Bulgaria, they can be seen in countries such as Great Britain, Germany, Austria, Italy, Belgium, Canada, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Greece, Turkey, India, and Hong Kong.
These are just a few examples of his fantastic work, much more you can see on his page: https://nasimo.org/
