Photographer, visual artist
Founder of the Capturing Creativity platform
Homo Faber ambassador
Homo Faber ambassador
Cultural producer
The object of Rosina Pencheva's photographic research is the happening itself – art as a developing and changing process that goes through multifaceted metamorphoses in search of its completion. She spends long days, months or even years with the characters of her photographs to document the process of creation in its nakedness, authenticity and unique imperfection. The art of capturing an in-between and transitory world – the creator's world as they create new worlds – requires universal patience, timing, and wide-open (blue) eyes.
Rosina Pencheva lives in Sofia, but is born and raised in Gabrovo. As a child, she spent long hours wandering at her mother's pantomime rehearsals and in her grandfather's workshop. Now grown up, we find her again behind the scenes wherever art is happening.
Rosina took her first steps as a documentary storyteller with her photography in the theater in 2013. She was captivated by the idea of preserving the fast-flying backstage moments in a dynamic archive – alive, meaningful and exciting for future generations. Then the idea for the Capturing Creativity platform was born.
With many years of experience as a museum photographer and a wide range of collaborations in the field of cultural and creative industries, Rosina works with an emphasis on cultural heritage and its visual representation. It has made it its mission to ensure continuity and upgrading in the diverse spheres of art and culture by provoking a dialogue with the general public through the means of documentary backstage photography.
In addition to the international craft guide Homo Faber, Rosina's work is also featured in the Bulgarian contemporary art platform Open Art Files.
SELECTED PHOTOGRAPHY SPECIALIZATIONS
2023, Narrative and Documentary Practice, interdisciplinary seminar with Prof. Paul Lowe at VII Academy, Sarajevo
2023, The Art of Photobooks, intensive workshop with Larry Towell and Stuart Smith, Magnum Photos, London
2022, Portrait with Kalin Ruichev, Sofia
2016, Documentary Photography with М. Scott Brauer, Sofia Photo Fest, BG Press Photo Foundation, Sofia
2014, Documentary and Street Photography with Edward Keating, Sofia Photo Fest, BG Press Photo Foundation, Sofia
2014, Documentary and Street Photography with Edward Keating, Sofia Photo Fest, BG Press Photo Foundation, Sofia
SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS & PROJECTS
2022, Crafted by Hand. A Photo Diary, digital archive
2021, Without an Audience. Visual Stories About Creativity In Isolation, digital project
2015–2016, Parallels open-air photo installation, Central Square of Gabrovo city, 1st Prize for Best Cultural Event of Gabrovo
2014, Working Title, selected by the Bulgarian Month of Photography Festival, "Rubber" Photography Gallery, Sofia
2015–2016, Parallels open-air photo installation, Central Square of Gabrovo city, 1st Prize for Best Cultural Event of Gabrovo
2014, Working Title, selected by the Bulgarian Month of Photography Festival, "Rubber" Photography Gallery, Sofia
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS, AWARDS AND PUBLICATIONS
2023, BG Press Photo, First Prize in Culture Reportage
2023, BG Press Photo, First Prize in Culture Reportage
2020, Тhe Other Hundred HEALERS, Hong Kong Baptist University, China
2020, Out of Character: Gergana Zmiicharova, photo essay publication, Everyday Eastern Europe
2020, Out of Character: Gergana Zmiicharova, photo essay publication, Everyday Eastern Europe
2019, 24th International Gabrovo Biennial, shortlisted / Museum of Humour and Satire, Gabrovo
2015, Points of View, exhibition with Petrinel Gotchev and Rin Yamamura, City Art Gallery, GabrovoPortrait of Rosina Pencheva © Kalin Ruichev