Painter, art theorist, lecturer and Head of the Department of Painting at the National Academy of Arts in Sofia, Bulgaria
Born: 1964 in Novi Han, Sofia Region, Bulgaria
Lives and works in: Sofia, Bulgaria
Education and Academic Career
Prof. Kiril Bozhkov graduated from the National High School of Fine Arts in 1983. In 1991, he completed his studies in Mural Painting at the National Academy of Arts in Sofia. Since 1996, he has been teaching in the Department of Painting, where he has progressed through all academic ranks and is currently a Professor, PhD, and Head of the Department.
In 2012, he defended his doctoral thesis titled: “New Parameters of the Concept of Virtuosity in Figurative Painting of the 20th Century,” published as “Virtuosity and Painting” (NAA, 2014).
Artistic Path and Exhibitions
Prof. Bozhkov has held over 60 solo exhibitions and participated in more than 200 group exhibitions in Bulgaria and abroad. His works are characterized by profound artistic sensitivity, technical virtuosity, and a visual language that fuses tradition with contemporaneity.
From 2009 to 2013, he co-managed the “Art Gallery Kiril Bozhkov” in Sofia with his wife.
Awards and Recognitions
• 2016
• Award from IWS Bulgaria – International Watercolor Triennial, Varna
• 2017
• 1st Prize for Best Portrait – 2nd International Watercolor Biennale, Tirana
• Top 20 – ‘Thoughts made of Water’ International Contest, Chihuahua, Mexico
• 2018
• Winner in International Category – 1st Watercolor Biennale, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
• Best Portrait – ‘Tropical Watercolors’, Costa Rica
• Top 100 – Universal Watercolor Exposition, Zhuji, China
• 2019
• 1st Prize – 2nd International Watercolor Biennale KIPUS, Bolivia
• Top 6 Best Portrait – Tirana International Watercolor Biennale
• 2021
• Gold Art Award – 1st International Watercolor Biennale, Hamyang, South Korea
• 2022
• NEVSKAYA PALITRA Award – 3rd Watercolor & Spirit Triennial, Varna
• Mention Award – 7th ‘Love, Tolerance and Peace through Watercolor’ Festival, Izmir, Turkey
• 2023
• 1st Prize – 1st International Watercolor Festival, Córdoba, Spain
• 3rd Place in ‘Portrait’ Category – ‘Watercolor for All’, Santiago, Chile
• 2nd Place – ‘Rivers of Color’, Mexico City
• Eskoda Award – 1st Japan Watercolor Triennale, Nadeshiko
Public Recognition and Collections
In 2013, Prof. Bozhkov was honored with the title “Knight of the Brush” for his exceptional contributions to visual art.
His works are included in national collections such as:
– National Gallery for Fine Arts – Sofia
– Sofia City Art Gallery
– National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria
… as well as in numerous private and institutional collections in over 25 countries worldwide.
Teaching and Influence
_ Prof. Dr. Kiril Bozhkov is a key figure in contemporary Bulgarian painting – not only through his art but also through his work as an educator. Hundreds of students have studied under his guidance, learning not only technical mastery but also the philosophical foundations of painting.
