ana kostova
ana kostova

The focus of my work is on contextualized abstraction. For years, I have been creating abstract paintings inspired by spatial experiences, which I translate into vibrant color forms that balance between two- and three-dimensional planes. In my latest works, I deepen the creative process by producing freestanding sculptural objects and reliefs composed of multiple layers. These works often occupy entire spaces, transforming them so that the architecture becomes an integral part of my art. My inspiration comes from architectural details and Roman floor mosaics found in Bulgaria. I translate these geometric patterns into my compositions, creating a visual connection between shapes, history, and time. Everyday objects and elements of nature also inspire my works. Rather than directly referencing these objects, I transform them into visual allusions and variations of form, carrying new meanings and leaving room for personal interpretations.

Born in 1995 in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Lives and work in Hamburg, Germany.

EDUCATION

2021–2023

MA in Fine Arts at Muthesius Art University, Kiel, under Prof. Antje Majewski, Germany

2018–2020

MA in Painting at National Academy of Arts Sofia, Bulgaria

2014–2018

BA in Painting/Theory and Practice of Art Education at the National Academy of Arts Sofia, Bulgaria

AWARDS

2024

Nomination, 7. André Evard Prize for concrete - constructive art, Riegel am Kaiserstuhl (DE)

Pavillon Stipendium, Kulturwerk SH, Pinneberg (DE)

2023

DAAD Prize

2022

Project funding from the National Cultural Fund, Sofia, Bulgaria (Let's take a look at the side)

Nomination for the national award for the promotion of young talent in contemporary art and science, "13th Century Bulgaria", Sofia 

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2023

In color spaces, Serdica Gallery, Sofia (BG)

Traces of Something Recognizable, Gallery23, Hamburg (DE)

von einem Raum zum anderen, Kunstraum B, Kiel (DE)

2022

Sacred Places, Galleri Flyvsk, Flensburg (DE)

GROUP EXHIBITIONS (SELECTION)

2024

7. internationaler André Evard Preis für konkret-konstruktive Kunst, Kunsthalle Messmer, Riegel am Kaiserstuhl (DE)

EINhaus, Jugendbildungsstätte, Barmstedt (DE)

Sofia Art Fair, Sofia, (BG)

12,25 qm:5, Kulturwerk SH, Pinneberg (DE)

NEU?JA!,GalerieB, Hamburg (DE)

Everyone but Casper!,Künstlerhaus Sootbörn, Hamburg (DE)

2023

Salon der Gegenwart, Hamburg (DE)

Masters of Fine Arts, Graduate show, Kiel (DE)

Positions Art Fair, Tempelhof Airport, Berlin (DE)

Konglomerat, Museum Night, Alte Mu, Kiel (DE)

zusammen-tragen, atelierumraum, Kiel (DE)

Walking Straight on a Crooked Path, GVUN, Nachod, (CZE)

Let's take a look at the side (Duo), Credo Bonum Gallery, Sofia (BG)

2022

What about painting?!, sp ce Gallery, Kiel (DE)

Spielplatz, off-space, Kiel (DE)

Game Trails, Gallery Cube+, Kiel (DE)

ausbruch, xpon-art Gallery, Hamburg (DE)

Make up Wake up, Keramikkünstlerhaus Neumünster (DE)

Something To Declare, Nothing To Declare, off-space, Bremen (DE)

As a Matter of Form (Duo), off-space, Kiel (DE)

2021

Import-Export, Prima Kunst, Kiel (DE)

2020

Rosa&Grün, Anscharpark, Kiel (DE)

PUBLICATIONS

2024

7. internationaler André Evard Preise für konkret-konstruktive Kunst, P. 54, Messmer Foundation, Riegel a. K. (DE)
Sofia Art Fair Catalogue, P. 52, Sofia Breathes Foundation, ISBN: 978-619-04-0314-2, Sofia (BG)

2023

salondergegenwart 2023, P. 54-55, salondergegenwart GmbH, ISBN: 978-3-945772-92-8, Hamburg (DE)

2020

European Masters Salon Painting, P. 128 - 131, KoMASK, Antwerpen, (BEL)

The focus of my work is on contextualized abstraction. For years, I have been creating abstract paintings inspired by spatial experiences, which I translate into vibrant color forms that balance between two- and three-dimensional planes. In my latest works, I deepen the creative process by producing freestanding sculptural objects and reliefs composed of multiple layers. These works often occupy entire spaces, transforming them so that the architecture becomes an integral part of my art. My inspiration comes from architectural details and Roman floor mosaics found in Bulgaria. I translate these geometric patterns into my compositions, creating a visual connection between shapes, history, and time. Everyday objects and elements of nature also inspire my works. Rather than directly referencing these objects, I transform them into visual allusions and variations of form, carrying new meanings and leaving room for personal interpretations.

Born in 1995 in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Lives and work in Hamburg, Germany.

EDUCATION

2021–2023

MA in Fine Arts at Muthesius Art University, Kiel, under Prof. Antje Majewski, Germany

2018–2020

MA in Painting at National Academy of Arts Sofia, Bulgaria

2014–2018

BA in Painting/Theory and Practice of Art Education at the National Academy of Arts Sofia, Bulgaria

AWARDS

2024

Nomination, 7. André Evard Prize for concrete - constructive art, Riegel am Kaiserstuhl (DE)
Pavillon Stipendium, Kulturwerk SH, Pinneberg

2023

DAAD Prize

2022

Project funding from the National Cultural Fund, Sofia, Bulgaria (Let's take a look at the side)
Nomination for the national award for the promotion of young talent in contemporary art and science, "13th Century Bulgaria", Sofia, Bulgaria

SOLO EXHIBITONS

2023

In color spaces, Serdica Gallery, Sofia (BG)
Traces of Something Recognizable, Gallery23, Hamburg (DE)
von einem Raum zum anderen, Kunstraum B, Kiel (DE)

2022

Sacred Places, Galleri Flyvsk, Flensburg (DE)

GROUP EXHIBITIONS (SELECTION)

2024

7. internationaler André Evard Preis für konkret-konstruktive Kunst, Kunsthalle Messmer, Riegel am Kaiserstuhl (DE)
EINhaus, Jugendbildungsstätte, Barmstedt (DE)
Sofia Art Fair, Sofia, (BG)
12,25 qm:5, Kulturwerk SH, Pinneberg (DE)
NEU?JA!, GalerieB, Hamburg (DE)
Everyone but Casper!, Künstlerhaus Sootbörn, Hamburg (DE)

2023

Salon der Gegenwart, Hamburg (DE)
Masters of Fine Arts, Graduate show, Kiel (DE)
Positions, Art Fair, Tempelhof Airport, Berlin 
Konglomerat, Museum Night, Alte Mu, Kiel (DE)
zusammen-tragen, atelierumraum, Kiel (DE)
Walking Straight on a Crooked Path, GVUN, Nachod, (CZE)
Let's take a look at the side (Duo), Credo Bonum Gallery, Sofia, (BG)

2022

What about painting?!, sp ce Gallery, Kiel (DE)
Spielplatz, off-space, Kiel (DE)
Game Trails, Gallery Cube+, Kiel (DE)
aus_bruch, xpon-art Gallery, Hamburg (DE)
Make up Wake up, Keramikkünstlerhaus Neumünster (DE)
Something To Declare, Nothing To Declare, off-space, Bremen (DE)
As a Matter of Form (Duo), off-space, Kiel (DE)

2021

Import-Export, Prima Kunst, Kiel (DE)

2020

Rosa&Grün, Anscharpark, Kiel (DE)

PUBLICATIONS

2024

7. internationaler André Evard Preise für konkret-konstruktive Kunst, P. 54, Messmer Foundation, Riegel a. K. (DE)
Sofia Art Fair Catalogue, P. 52, Sofia Breathes Foundation, ISBN: 978-619-04-0314-2, Sofia (BG)

2023

salondergegenwart 2023, P. 54-55, salondergegenwart GmbH, ISBN: 978-3-945772-92-8, Hamburg (DE)

2020

European Masters Salon Painting, P. 128 - 131, KoMASK, Antwerpen, (BEL)