Dimiter Nikolaev

Ceramicist

©Geo Pavlov

Playing with clay

Dimitar creates abstract and beautifully rough ceramic sculptures
His artistic process is influenced by jazz improvisation
He feels the best ideas come through play

“What enlightened my interest in ceramics from an early age was the ability to master the whole creative process by myself,” says Dimitar Nikolaev. Having a dialogue with the material and especially with clay has remained a priority for him throughout his career as an artist. Famous for his ceramic objects and canvases, he has presented his work in gallery shows in Bulgaria, Holland, France, Germany and Spain. Due to his curiosity and will to experiment with his craft, back in the 90s he was commissioned to work on the set design for a production of Verdi's Rigoletto at the Holland Festival. Recently, for his 70th birthday, Dimitar presented a new series of works he describes as “snapshots of current artistic ideas” at the Intro Gallery, Sofia.

Interview

©Geo Pavlov

©Geo Pavlov

When did you decide to become a ceramicist?: In my early teenage years I decided that drawing was too easy for me and turned to ceramics. I was very interested in sculpture, but due to the specifics of the communist regime I was not admitted to study sculpture at the academy, so I continued with ceramics.
How have you managed to stay true to your creative intuition?: I am a big jazz fan and I love jam sessions. I implement this musical improvisation process in my work as a ceramicist. I try to stay away from habits, because they can easily turn into a trap. The good thing is that I’m full of ideas.
Are there any permanent motifs in your work?: I try to keep things as simple as possible and without redundant decoration. That’s why I very much rely on the dialogue with clay and the specifics and possibilities of the material. It is easy to lose one’s authenticity as an artist if one doesn’t comply with the material and its characteristics.
What inspires you?: As a young man I was inspired by old houses in the country and their architectural elements. This period played a vital role in shaping my artistic signature. Nowadays I mostly count on my imagination. To remain playful is vital to the creative process and kids are the best example.

Dimiter Nikolaev is a master artisan: he began his career in 1981 and he started teaching in 1982