Gates to European Modernism for Bulgarian Artists During the Iron Curtain – Graphic Art and Posters in Poland from The 1960’s and Early 1970’s

The artistic exchange in Central Eastern Europe is a formative factor for the character of the art scene in Bulgaria during the Cold War. Cultural milieus with a dynamic modern-era history had the support of international modernist and avant-garde practices prior to World War II. This experience was developed further by later generations in other contexts. Printmaking from Poland and (East) Germany, Czech glass, Polish and Romanian textiles, and other examples of high-class creativity were in demand as exchange opportunities for Bulgarian artists. Polish graphism is one of the areas of particular interest for Bulgarian artists. This paper highlights the role of the “Polish connection” as one of the gateways to European (not only Western) modernism during the Iron Curtain, especially in the 1960s. It discusses visiting exhibitions of Polish poster and graphic art in Sofia, the participation of Bulgarian artists in the Poster Biennial in Warsaw and the Graphic Art Biennial in Krakow and the way these forums were reflected by Bulgarian critique. The specific case of the training and formation of the Bulgarian artist Stoyan Tsanev in Poland is discussed.