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The words “fantasy art” conjure thoughts of cheesy wizard posters hung in the dorm rooms of crater-faced, girlfriend-less World of Warcraft players. Bulgarian-born artists Vladimir and Daniela Ovtcharov create a different type of fantasy art — surreal, magical scenes designed to open the mind of the viewer. “Through my paintings, I want to force people to imagine and fantasize,” says Daniela. “I want to free them from the mass culture and societal clichés that have been put on them.”
From 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, January 7, meet the Ovtcharovs at the opening reception for their “Fantasy World” exhibit at SOCA Gallery. Daniela’s ethereal paintings depict women in nature, while her husband Vladimir’s darker images evoke Grimm’s original fairytales.
Though Daniela studied at the prestigious National Academy of Art in Sofia, she’s very relaxed about her work. “In my opinion, life cannot be taken too seriously,” she quips. “It is all just a game. Since art, too, is part of life, it is also a game.”
Thu., Jan. 7, 6-9 p.m., 2010
