Gueorguieva Iva
Iva Gueorguieva, born in 1974 in Bulgaria, is an acclaimed artist renowned for her large-scale abstract paintings and intricate sculptures. Her works are characterized by a dynamic interplay of collage, line, shape, and color, often giving rise to figures, architectural fragments, or enigmatic machines that seem to emerge from the chaotic mix. This creates an atmosphere that evokes adrenaline, anxiety, and introspection, making her work both visually and emotionally compelling.
Gueorguieva pursued her passion for art at the Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia, where she earned her MFA in 2000. Her artistic approach draws inspiration from various movements, including the materialism of Art Povera, the physicality of Gutai, the playfulness of Cubist collage, and the political satire of George Grosz.
Her paintings are infused with the fervor of Abstract Expressionism, driven by a sense of urgency and a desire to orchestrate chaos on canvas. They bring together intricate arrangements of painted paper and fabric collaged with feverish energy. Her approach blurs the line between the illusionistic plane of the painting and the physicality of its surface.
Her sculptures echo the themes present in her paintings, exploring the spatial properties of materials. By utilizing simple elements such as metal scraps, fabric, and stone, she creates intricate assemblages inspired by the Californian landscape where she resides. These works reference the legacy of Neo-Dada and Russian Constructivism.
Based in Los Angeles, Gueorguieva has showcased her work in numerous solo exhibitions, including prestigious venues like Frederic Snitzer in Miami, Ameringer/McEnery/Yohe in New York, ACME in Los Angeles, and Samson Projects in Boston. Her works have also been featured in international shows such as Galerie Stefan Roepke in Cologne and Stichting outLINE in Amsterdam.
Her artwork is part of several public collections, including the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Minneapolis Institute of Art, and the Museum of Contemporary Art in San Diego, among others.
Gueorguieva’s contributions to the art world have been recognized with several accolades. She was a finalist for the Howard Foundation Grant in 2019 and nominated for the Anonymous is a Woman grant in 2017. She received the Orange County Contemporary Art Collectors Fellowship in 2012, the California Community Foundation mid-career fellowship in 2010, and the Pollock-Krasner Grant in 2006.
Iva Gueorguieva continues to push the boundaries of abstract expression and sculpture, inviting viewers into her vibrant, chaotic, yet meticulously constructed worlds. Her work remains a testament to the power of abstraction to convey complex narratives and emotions.
