Ognian Zekoff

Ognian Zekoff (Bulgarian, b. 1964 in ) focuses on depicting photo-realistic hands and female bodies in his large-scale oil paintings. Continuing the strong tradition of European art school, using the technique of charcoal drawing and oil paintings on canvas, Zekoff shows how emotion and passion can jump off the canvas by using a monochromatic color palette.

Capturing the complexity of the human form, Zekoff believes that the hands are the most emotive part of the body. Depicting them in a variety of positions and tonalities, he is able to show a range of states of mind from anxiety to love and passion. His nude series are equally evocative, portraying women in various poses that evoke feelings of peace and serenity. Zekoff explores the change in meaning that occurs as he alters the colors of his subjects, thus connecting everyday reality with an illusory world of his own creation. Somewhere been reality and a dream world, the emotional feel, and presence of Zekoff’s pieces create a heightened intensity and overall sense of drama in his works.

Zekoff’s paintings are currently housed in important collections all around the world including the National Museum of Contemporary Art in Sofia, Bulgaria also Beijing, China, as well as the Foundation Cité des Arts in Paris, France amongst others. Over the years his work has gained international recognition – He has exhibited in 22 solo shows as well as being part of over 40 group exhibitions all over Europe, North America, and Asia and has received numerous international awards. He participated in many International Art Fairs including Toronto (2007, 2008, 2010, 2014), Moscow and Dubai just to name a few.

He graduated from the National Art School in Sofia (1978-1983) and the National Art Academy (MFA 1985-1991).Ognian Zekoff currently lives and works in Montreal, Canada.