The Magic of Manihiki: A Journey into the Graphic World of Dimitar Karatonev

The graphic art of Dimitar Karatonev transforms the distant Pacific island of Manihiki into an epicenter of creative inspiration. In his latest solo exhibition "Miracle in Manihiki", presented at the Nesi Gallery, the artist reveals his unique perspective on geographically distant locations.

Although he has never set foot on this exotic island, located between California, Australia, and Japan, Karatonev manages to recreate its imaginary images. "In art, we seek originality and provocation – something that will spark the audience's interest," the artist shares.

The exhibition covers approximately 30 graphics and 10 canvases created over the past two to three years. They represent another proof of his method of imaginary travel, which he has already demonstrated in previous projects such as "Fiesta in Cancun" and graphics dedicated to Lake Titicaca.

Among the exhibits, works inspired by classical impressionists stand out. "I have graphics named after Gauguin and Van Gogh," Karatonev reveals. Special attention is deserved by his favorite work – "Gauguin's Dream", which directly illustrates his deep connection to impressionist heritage.

A key moment in his creative development is his visit to the Orsay Museum in Paris, which definitively confirmed his aesthetic orientation. "When I saw Gauguin, Van Gogh, they seemed to remain with me forever," the artist shares.

Although a professional graphic artist, Karatonev experiments with various techniques – painting, watercolor, color graphics. "Color carries different emotionality," he explains, emphasizing the importance of color planes in expressing artistic convention.

For him, inspiration is not a static expectation, but an active creative process. "Themes continuously spin in my head. New ideas are born during work," the artist is adamant, believing that improvisation is the essence of true art.

His philosophy states that "a defect can become an effect", which shows his openness to chance and experiment in visual art. Graphic thinking remains his primary creative tool, which defines his entire artistic approach.

The exhibition "Miracle in Manihiki" continues Karatonev's tradition of transforming geographically distant places into emotional artistic spaces, demonstrating the imagination's power to overcome physical distances.