2015 Latchezar Boyadjiev Habatat Galleries Beyond Form Contemporary Glass

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Inspiration for a body of work can originate in the most diverse of places. These ideas may float around for decades before they are actually tapped into. Once caught, they may torment their capturer until they are released into the world.

You can follow Latchezar Boyadjiev’s passion and persistence while he sketches his design.

Constantly erasing and blending a single line to get the perfect flow of form. Much like a musician’s search for the perfect pitch, the artist uses his sketch book to work out his own personal harmony.

Once completely rendered by the artist the drawing is viewed the way one would use a map.

The thought or idea is out, tangible and ready for the world to see. Latchezar only can see the sketch as a way to navigate forward.

Adding dimension is his final step. Careful not to stray from his own instructions, he sculpts and shapes his design. Latchezar utilizes his ability as an artist to transform his floating idea into a physical reality.

At first glance this physical form, elegant in stature, is the artist contribution to the world.

However, it is not the object itself you are experiencing. It is Latchezar’s concept beyond form which is the real gift.

We are pleased to present to you, Latchezar Boyadjiev’s

The Translation of Elegance: Beyond Form

H A B A T A T G A L L E R I E S 4400 Fernlee Ave., Royal Oak, MI 48073 248.554.0590 | info@habatat.com

Tor so

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18 x 12 x 4�

C a st g l a ss

Pa ssa ge 24 x 38 x 4�

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F r e e dom 25 x 40 x 6�

C a st g l a ss

Tor so

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18 x 12 x 4�

C a st g l a ss

Tor so

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18 x 12 x 4�

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Re la t i o ns hi p 83 x 48 x 36�

C a st g l a s s

Emo tion 73 x 43 x 23�

Cast gl as s

Ra di ance 76 x 27 x 18�

C a st g l a s s

“Having freedom is very important for me. Freedom is what determines my life.” LB

The story of sculptor Latchezar Boyadjiev began in Bulgaria, his home country. He attended the Ceramics Department of the Academy of Applied Arts in Sofia for one year before being admitted to the prestigious Academy of Applied Arts in Prague, Czech Republic. There he studied under renowned professor and glass artist Stanislav Libensky (1921-2002).* After graduating, in 1986 Boyadjiev defected to the United States via Italy. As an artist living in Communist Bulgaria, he had not been allowed to be different, to think or create freely. He felt confined and suffocated. With his new degree and glass skills, the only work available to him was as a designer of glassware in a rural factory.

Thus, if he hoped for a better future, Boyadjiev’s sole option was to risk the potential consequences of defection, endure terrible refugee camp conditions and difficulties associated with being an immigrant. He chose to fight for his freedom.

The other alternative was to live life in fear.

In the United States, Boyadjiev settled in the San Francisco Bay Area and began working for a small glass production company. His unique talents and artistic style quickly gained recognition and the artist soon established his own studio.

Boyadjiev’s vibrantly colored translucent cast glass works are inspired by jazz and classical music and are evocative of emotion. His sculptures can be viewed in museum collections worldwide, including those in San Francisco, New York, Boston, and Scottsdale (AZ) in the US as well as in the Czech Republic, Germany and Holland. He has had over 40 solo exhibits, has received numerous awards and has a piece in the permanent collection of the White House.

“I definitely consider my work as an abstract sculpture and using glass allows me to add another dimension to it – transparency and translucency. Why am I leaving one of the planes of my sculptures flat and polished?”

“The reason is if you look through it as an unobstructed window at the negative space it creates a lasting impression of a three-dimensional drawing. Only the glass allows me to do this. It has a lot more to offer as a material for the creative person than any other.”

“The light coming through the glass defining the texture and composition makes it pure magic increasing the emotive qualities of the artwork.”

Latchezar Boyadjiev, 2014

Tor so

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18 x 12 x 4�

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33 x 23 x 5�

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M o o d 36 x 24 x 6�

Cast glass

G e om e t r y 24 x 25 x 6�

Cast glass

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H A B A T A T G A L L E R I E S 4400 Fernlee Ave., Royal Oak, MI 48073 248.554.0590 | info@habatat.com