Daniela Raytchev artist abstract portraits london art

Daniela Raytchev is Slovakian/ Bulgarian contemporary artist currently residing in London, United Kingdom. 

Raytchev’s personal experience and observation of human psyche have been a continuous source of inspiration for her work.  Her paintings and sculpture are bold, at times ironic and feminine yet feminist. Raychev’s work depicts conflicts within, enquires about social stigmas, especially with regards to mental health and equal rights, and promotes honesty and positive message that change is possible. Raytchev invites the public to participate, either via interviewing her subjects or via creating multi media artworks. 

 Having studied at the world’s most prestigious art and design collages Central St. Martins College of Art and Design and London College of Fashion, Raytchev’s creative talents are not restricted to one type of media. 

Raytchev’s work has been getting international attention. Raytchev has participated in various group shows and science conferences around the world (UK, US, Russia). In 2015 during Frieze Art Fair, she held a successful solo exhibition in London’s Notting Hill. Raytchev has been mentioned in numerous national and international press such as the Times, News Week US, Dazed Digital, Huffington Post, Bullet Media as well as appearing and being interviewed on Slovak and Czech National Radios, Women in Trade Magazine and other publications. 

Her recent and upcoming collaborations include projects with King’s College Addiction Neuroscience Department, a sound installation with renowned British musician, producer and actor Richard Strange, tapestry work for Rug Designer and 100% Design International Exposition, and Purling London Luxury Chess Sets collaborations. 

One of her most recent achievements was her art chess set ‘Addictions’ that has been exhibited at the World Chess Hall of Fame Museum in the US, along side renowned artists Yoko Ono, Barbara Kruger and Sophie Matisse. 

Amongst the supporters of Raychev’s work, who also participated in her projects are several British celebrities and high profile individuals, TV presenter and designer Gok Wan, actress and TV presenter Gail Porter, entrepreneur Shaa Wasmund MBA, writer and life coach Mel Wells to name a few. 

Having dealt successfully with bulimia, and through the insight of addiction that comes with it, she became a passionate advocate of raising awareness about mental health issues. 

The context of her ongoing inquiry about the human condition is based on extensive research. Since starting her ‘Progress not Perfection’ project, she has been in conversation with neuroscientists, researchers ad other professionals from mental health field. 

In 2015/2016 Raytchev received the Selected Artist Award for Beat charity, that helps people with eating disorders. She is in the process of establishing closer working relationship with NEDA (National Eating Disorders Association) in the US that she supports. 

As of late, Raytchev’s work is gaining more of a political and social character. She addresses her ideologies and support for racial, gender and sexual equality as well as various environmental causes. She questions the establishment and the position of women within the society. Same as with her past mental health related works, she continues to encourage equality, acceptance and empowerment of those less fortunate or discriminated.

“This new work is ambitions and exciting’ Barry Martin, artist

RESIDENCIES

2019 (April- June)         NARS Foundation, New York

 

EXHIBITIONS

Solo shows

upcoming  – 2022  (October) London, UK

2021 (May)                 S&P Gallery, South Kensington, London, UK

2020 (September)   Start Art Fair, Saatchi Gallery, London, UK

2018 (September)   Start Art Fair, Saatchi Gallery, London, UK

2017  (October)        Capital, Citibank, Canary Wharf, London, UK

2015  (October)        Progress not Perfection, Notting Hill, London, UK

Group shows/ conferences / charity auctions 

2022   (January-  July) ‘Mind, Art, Experience, 10 Years of Chess& Culture’, World Chess Hall Of Fame, St. Louis, USA

2021    (October)      Global Chess Festival, National Hungarian Gallery, Budapest, Hungary

2019   (June)           ‘Here, There and Everywhere we have been’,  NARS Foundation, New York

2018  (June)            Caudwell Children Butterfly Ball, Art Auction, Mayfair, London, UK

          (May)             25th International Stress and Behaviour Synopsium, St. Petersburg, Russia

           (April – July)   Painted Pieces, The World Chess Hall of Fame, St. Louis, US

           (March)           West London Art Factory, Open studios/ exhibition, London, UK

          (March)           Burnout, LSE Health Society, London, UK

2017  (June)          NEDA charity annual gala, Exhibition and Live Auction, The Pierre Hotel, New York, USA

          (May)                International Stress and Behaviour Synopsium, St. Petersburg, Russia

                                    Superfine Art Fair, Arthouse NY, New York, US 

          (January)         Uprise/ Angry Women, Untitled Space, New York, USA 

2016  (October)        Art and Mentalising Conference, Pratt Institute, New York, USA
          (April)              International Stress and Behaviour Synopsium, St. Petersburg, Russia 

          (February)       International Eating Disorders Conference, London, UK 

          (December 2015 – May 2016)         Ladies Knight, The World Chess Hall of Fame, St. Luis, US
2015  (August)          Beat Charity Summer Picnic, London, UK
          (July)               12”x12”, Soho, London, UK
          (March)           Beat the Bank Fundraiser by Beat Eating Disorders Charity, Canary Wharf, London, UK
2014  (November)    Human Suffering at Times of Crises II, group show, Notting Hill, London, UK
          (October)        Human Suffering at Times of Crises I, group show, Notting Hill, London, UK