Preslav Kostov

Preslav Kostov (b. Sofia, Bulgaria) is a contemporary artist whose practice explores the relationship between image-making, material process, and visual perception. Working primarily in painting, Kostov develops compositions that investigate the tension between control and spontaneity, often allowing chance and error to play an active role in the final work.

His practice is rooted in a process-driven approach, where the act of painting itself becomes a site of experimentation. Through layering, removal, and reconstruction, Kostov creates surfaces that reveal traces of their own making, emphasising the physicality of the medium. This iterative method results in works that feel both constructed and unstable, balancing deliberate gesture with unpredictable outcomes.

Kostov’s visual language moves fluidly between abstraction and representation, resisting fixed categorisation. His compositions often suggest fragmented imagery or partial forms, inviting viewers to engage with the work through perception rather than narrative. Influenced by both contemporary visual culture and historical painting traditions, his work reflects an ongoing dialogue between past and present approaches to image-making.

Central to his practice is an interest in how meaning is generated through process, rather than imposed from the outset. By embracing imperfection and allowing the material to guide the outcome, Kostov positions his work within a broader discourse of contemporary painting that values experimentation, intuition, and the redefinition of authorship.

Kostov studied at the National Academy of Arts in Sofia, where he developed his conceptual and technical approach to painting. His work has since been presented in exhibitions across Europe, contributing to his growing presence within the contemporary art scene.

Kostov participated in the group exhibtion at our residency HQ at the Bridgepoint Art Centre in Rye 2023.