‘Landscapes of Samokov’, exhibition of paintings by Georgi Klisarski (1949–2020)
The ‘13 Centuries of Bulgaria’ National Endowment Fund presents artist Georgi Klisarski, who lived and worked in Samokov for many years.
On 4 June, an exhibition of paintings by Georgi Klisarski from Yavor Avramov’s collection opened at the Sarafs’ House, the NEF ‘13 Centuries Bulgaria’ regional centre in Samokov.
Georgi Klisarski was born in Samokov on 26 March 1949. He graduated from the local secondary school and, in 1975, was appointed as a teacher of fine arts in the town of Ihtiman, where he moved with his wife Valya and their two children, Evgeni and Elena.
In 1979, he was nominated for the position of ‘artist’ by the town council, responsible for the production of all local events and performances. At the age of 35, Klisarski began to produce masterful works in the intarsia technique, depicting Rila Monastery, scenes from Ivan Vazov’s ‘Under the Yoke’, and famous architectural sites from the Bulgarian National Revival epoch such as Samokov’s Great Fountain and the Mosque. He devoted a particular place to his output for children, creating unique veneer portrayals of favourite children’s characters. To this day, these works, which he donated, may be seen on the walls of kindergartens and schools, including the ‘Slantse [Sun] – 1879’ Community Centre in Ihtiman. Simultaneously, the artist created pen and ink drawings, and woodcarvings.
Following the sociopolitical changes of 1989, Georgi Klisarski continued to work as a teacher. while becoming more prolific in producing oil paintings on canvas. His favoured themes related to the natural features of the region; he loved recreating the mountains, forests, the Rila lakes, flora, and seascapes. His works quickly became noticed and were highly appreciated by artists and specialists.
Georgi Klisarski unexpectedly left this world on 24 February 2020, at the age of 70.