Stoian - Atanasov Valkov

Lives and works in New York, NY, USA

Artist statement

The ''gypsy motive'' in my works is a symbol of freedom and traveling people, many of which have passed through the crossroads of the world. I firmly believe that my artistic work evoke a multitude of emotions including feelings of curiosity, austerity, comfort, strength, and gentleness which directly reflect characteristics of myself and the mysterious culture of the Romani Gypsies and the wanderlust nature of their world, as many travelers through NYC have experienced for themselves for however brief a moment. It is also my desire for paying attention to nowadays aspects of cultural diversity, tolerance for Roma minorities and their place in today's world as a people without a nation, who have lived on the edge of societies worldwide and faced isolation, rejection, and discrimination for centuries.

Artwork