Penka Dimitrova–Dambulova is an artist with a strong presence in contemporary Bulgarian visual art, whose work over more than four decades has developed a distinctive artistic language, combining painting, decorative and plastic explorations, and experiments with paper as an artistic medium.
A member of the Union of Bulgarian Artists, Penka Dambulova has held dozens of solo exhibitions in Dobrich, Varna, Sofia, Balchik, Sliven, Kavarna, and Veliko Tarnovo, and has actively participated in numerous national and international exhibitions, biennials, symposia, and plein air events in Bulgaria and abroad.
Penka Dambulova’s artistic work is characterized by a sensitivity to material, rich color, and poetic symbolism, intertwining personal memory, impressions from nature, and a philosophical sense of time. An artist of consistency and inner freedom, she continues to be an active participant in the artistic scene today, establishing herself as one of the recognizable names of the northeastern Bulgarian art school.
Дата на раждане 02.12.1958., Бургас
Образование Художествена гимназия - Казанлък, 1977
ВТУ ”Св. Св. К. и Методий”, стенопис при проф. Н. Гелов - 1981
Член на СБХ
Solo Exhibitions
2026
Dobrich Art Gallery
2022
“Gallery 8” – Varna
2018
“Yordan Kyuvliev” Gallery – Sliven
The Palace Gallery – Balchik
2007
Kavarna Art Gallery
Gallery – Hotel “Kempinski” – Sofia
2006
Dobrich Art Gallery
TOPART Gallery – Veliko Tarnovo
1994, 1988
Albena Resort Complex
Group Exhibitions
2025
Exhibition “30 Years of Paper” – Dobrich Art Gallery
Plein air and exhibition – Lovech Art Gallery
Painting plein air – village of Krasen, Dobrich region
Anniversary exhibition “35 Years of Gallery 8” – Varna
Exhibition “60 Years of Dobrich Art Gallery”
Mexican House at the Art Gallery – Plovdiv
2025, 2023
National Exhibition “Ludogorie” – Razgrad Art Gallery
2024, 2022, 2008, 2002
International Biennale – Pleven Art Gallery
2022
Maria-Luiza Gallery – Plovdiv
Painting plein air – village of Krasen, Dobrich region
Paper plein air – Dobrich Art Gallery
Mexican House at the Art Gallery – Plovdiv
2022, 2017, 1994, 1993
Regional exhibitions – Dobrich and Silistra Art Galleries
2021
Project exhibition “Sun and Stars” – Razgrad Art Gallery
2018, 2016, 2014, 2012, 2009
Allianz Bulgaria Art Competition Exhibition
2016
Balkan Quadriennale – Stara Zagora Art Gallery
2015
Exhibitions in Constanța, Silistra, Dobrich
2014
Hungarian Cultural Institute – Sofia
2013
Iva Gallery – Shumen
Art Center – Pleven
2009
Hermes Gallery – Sofia
International Painting Plein Air – Tutrakan
2007, 2004
International Painting Plein Air – Poland
2006
“The Paper” – TOPART Gallery – Veliko Tarnovo
2005
Exhibition of Union of Bulgarian Artists Representations – Sofia
2004
International Triennial of Graphic Arts – Sofia
Painting Plein Air – Mangalia, Romania
2003
International Project “Graphic Studio” – Plovdiv
International Symposium “The Paper” – Balchik
2002
“Paper Originals” – Varna Art Gallery
Balkan Symposium “The Paper” – Kranevo
Joint exhibition with N. Nedkov and Ev. Handzhieva – Balchik Art Gallery
Bogoridi Gallery – Burgas
“Artists from Northeastern Bulgaria” – Razgrad Art Gallery
2001
Bulgarian Art Exhibition at the European Union Offices – Brussels, Belgium
Balkan Symposium “The Paper” – Kranevo
Exhibition “The Paper” – Sofia City Art Gallery and Dobrich
International Symposium “Paper of the Landes” – Tarnos, France; exhibitions in Bayonne and Bordeaux
2000
Painting Plein Air – Shabla
Plein Air “Dupini” – Veliko Tarnovo
“Material and Color” – Veliko Tarnovo
1999
Group exhibition – Varna
Paper plein air – Kranevo; exhibition at Dobrich Art Gallery
Painting plein air – Shabla
1998
National Painting Exhibition “The Painting” – Sofia
Paper plein air – Kranevo; exhibition at Dobrich Art Gallery
1997
Paper plein air – Kranevo
Exhibition “The Paper” – Dobrich, Sofia, Plovdiv
Group exhibition – Shumen
1996
Exhibition “The Paper” – Sofia, Dobrich
Exhibition “Momchilovtsi Plein Air” – National Art Gallery, Sofia
Paper plein air – Kranevo
1995
Exhibition “The Paper” – Dobrich
1994
National Exhibition “Spring Salon” – Sofia
International Painting Auction – Liège, Belgium
1995, 1994, 1993
Group exhibition – “Palas” Gallery – Varna
1989
National Exhibition of Decorative Arts – Yambol
National Exhibition “Ceramics” – Sofia
International Plein Air – Rostock, Germany
1988
National Exhibition of Decorative Arts – Sofia
National Exhibition “Ceramics” – Sofia
1987
National Exhibition of Decorative Arts – Sofia
National Exhibition “Ceramics” – Sofia
Painting Plein Air – Shabla
Awards
2024
Nomination for Painting – 12th International Biennale, Pleven Art Gallery
2018
Nomination for Painting – Allianz Bulgaria Exhibition
1998
Diploma – Bitola, North Macedonia
Collections
Works by the artist are held in:
National Art Gallery – Sofia, Dobrich Art Gallery, Lovech Art Gallery, Razgrad Art Gallery, Tutrakan Art Gallery, Shabla Art Gallery, Kavarna Art Gallery, Momchilovtsi Art Gallery, as well as in private collections in Bulgaria and abroad.
Professional Experience
Chief Curator at Dobrich Art Gallery, Painting and Decorative-Plastic Arts Department (1993–2022).
Participation in author teams for publications including:
- Catalog of Dobrich Art Gallery
- “50 Years of Dobrich Art Gallery”
- “Artists from Dobrich”
Participant in the project “The Paper” and catalogs of the “Paper” plein air (1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2020, 2021).
Participant in the project “Guide to Dobrich Art Gallery.”
Participant in the international symposium “Do We Need Art?” – Călărași, Romania.
Participant in the project “The Gallery and Children” – Soros Center for the Arts, 1998.
Participant in the working meeting “Educational Programs in Museums and Galleries,” Soros Center for the Arts, Sofia, 1999.
Participant in the seminar “Museum Pedagogy,” Goethe Institute – Sofia, 1995.
Delivered thematic talks, lectures, and practical workshops with children in galleries and kindergartens.
Published articles in local media on issues related to visual arts and the collection of Dobrich Art Gallery.
Director and teacher at a children’s art school at the community center “Yordan Yovkov” – Dobrich (1986–1993).