Iliya Zhelev is one of the most recognizable contemporary Bulgarian artists, born in 1961 in Plovdiv. He graduated from the Veliko Tarnovo University "St. Cyril and Methodius" with a degree in Painting in 1988 and has developed a successful international career with dozens of solo exhibitions in Bulgaria and Europe.
His work is distinguished by its bright colors, symbolism and characteristic visual language, in which folklore motifs, fantasy images and elements of modern abstraction are intertwined. His paintings create a world of imagination, emotion and movement, filled with dynamic compositions and recognizable characters.
Works by Iliya Zhelev are part of the collections of the National Gallery, as well as numerous galleries and private collectors in Europe, North America and Asia. Today he is among the most successfully represented Bulgarian artists abroad, established with his original style and international recognition.
