Desislava Staykova-Learn is an interdisciplinary artist, graduated from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts (Netherlands) in 2006. With a portfolio defined early-on by installations and abstract films, in more recent years she turned her attention closely to photography, focusing on several long-term research projects.
Staykova-Learn's work is most often defined by a signature approach which teases impactful abstract imagery out of real-life situations. Her fascination is to examine our environment and discover constructs which may remain hidden to the regular eye – then reveal them to the viewer, inviting them to question their environment, imagine alternate realities, and examine the world outside as well as inside themselves.
Her art has been showcased in multiple exhibitions and festivals in the USA, Netherlands, Bulgaria, Germany, Italy ea. She enjoys collaborating with other artists, especially on projects involving contemporary dance, composition and stage design. Born in Bulgaria and having lived in 4 countries, Staykova-Learn is based in Düsseldorf, Germany since 2014.
Recent honours:
- 2022 Luxembourg Art Prize, Certificate of Artistic Merit (Luxembourg).
- 2020 International honoree of Women In The Arts competition (USA).
Exhibitions:
- 2024 15th Contemporary Venice Art, Venice IT
- 2024 Nachtbrötchen: The Unconventional Art Experience, Düsseldorf DE
- 2024 ArtArtist, Düsseldorf DE
- 2023 Künstraum Kö, Düsseldorf DE
- 2023 ArtArtist, Düsseldorf DE
- 2022 Nachtbrötchen, NDSM Loods, Amsterdam NL
- 2022 Google Arts & Culture platform (published work), Online / USA
- 2021 10-year Retrospective of Celebrating the Genius of Women, Orlando, Florida, USA
- 2021 Nachtbroetchen Gallery, Roermond NL
- 2020 Winners exhibition, Celebrating the Genius of Women, Orlando, Florida, USA
- 2020 23-Hour Festival, Online / DE
- 2003-2013: SonicLight (SonicActs) Festival (Netherlands), Today's Art Festival (Netherlands), Sofia Architecture Week (Bulgaria), Outvideo Festival (Russia), Unheard Film Festival (Netherlands), Media Art Festival (Netherlands) and others.
