The Ana Tzarev Gallery (http://www.anatzarev.com/) is featuring an exhibition of paintings based on the artist Ana Tzarev’s extensive travels throughout Africa. Ana Tzarev has spent time in numerous regions across the continent. Her interest in African history and culture is reflected in a series of regal portraits, vibrant market scenes, energetic dance ceremonies and colorful scenes of daily life. In her travels Ana Tzarev also witnessed the challenges of war, disease and famine and these encounters are reflected in her powerful images of suffering women and children.
This exhibition celebrates the grace, beauty and resilience of the African people in a remarkable body of work that expresses the artist’s heartfelt connection and respect.
As seen in Fish Seller, 1999, Ana Tzarev presents daily life in African villages with warmth and familiarity capturing the bounty of fruits, vegetables, fish and other fare offered at Africa’s local markets in her colorful, graphic style. These works combine Tzarev’s passion for the land with the gentleness of everyday life.
Ana Tzarev has journeyed to some of the most remote parts of Africa and studied local customs in depth. She has been invited to witness important ceremonies that are rarely seen by travellers, some of these are documented in her series of dance paintings. The exhibition also includes a group of paintings of African masks which Ana Tzarev interprets in a two-dimensional abstract style, capturing the individual spirit of each mask. Starvation, genocide and AIDS plague the continent of Africa, and many people struggle with the consequences of these trials. Ana Tzarev addresses the issues of starvation, genocide and AIDS by depicting determination and strength in the faces of those fighting for survival without denying the realities of the situation. The painting Devastation, 1996, is a powerful example of this series of works.
The Ana Tzarev Gallery:
The Ana Tzarev Gallery features the work of the artist Ana Tzarev as well as presenting special exhibitions of works by other artists consistent with Ana Tzarev’s commitment to cultural awareness and social consciousness. For more information please visit http://www.anatzarev.com
