Photographer, visual artist
Founder of Capturing Creativity – a platform for cultural activity and creative services Homo Faber ambassador – a movement for contemporary craftsmanship
Producer of cultural projects
“The object of my photographic research is the happening - art as a developing and changing process that goes through multifaceted metamorphoses in search of its completion. I spend days, months or even years with the subjects of my photographs to document the creation process in its nakedness, rawness and unique imperfection“
Rosina Pencheva lives in Sofia, but is a native of Gabrovo. As a child, she spent a lot of time in the mime theatre where her mother performed, 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 in documentary storytelling as a theatre photographer 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. This gave rise to her idea to found the platform for cultural projects and creative services Capturing Creativity.
With many years of experience as a museum photographer and a wide range of collaborations with artists and organisations, Rosina works with an emphasis on cultural heritage and its visual representation. She aspires to ensure continuity and uplift all 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 guide for craftsmanship Homo Faber, in 2024, Rosina was honored in the 40 under 40 project by Darik Radio as one of the 40 successful young Bulgarians in their field under the age of 40. Rosina is also a field photographer for Meshtra, an association for the preservation of cultural and natural heritage.
“The art of capturing and immortalising a transitory space—that of the creator, as he imagines new worlds—requires universal patience, perfect timing, and wide-open (blue) eyes.“
Nevena Ekimova, visual artist
PHOTOGRAPHY SPECIALIZATIONS (SELECTED)
2024 Portrait, workshop with Alberto García-Alix, FotoFabrika foundation, Sofia
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
2019 Visual Journalism and Documentary Art with Kadir van Lohuizen, Nikon-NOOR Academy, 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
SOLO EXHIBITIONS & PROJECTS (SELECTED)
2022–2023 Crafted by Hand. A Photo Diary, digital series
2022 Without an Audience. Visual Stories About Creativity In Isolation, digital series
2015–2016 Parallels, outdoor installation, winner of the Cultural Event of the Year, Gabrovo
2014 Working Title, solo photo exhibition, National Festival Photography Month, Rubber Photography Gallery, Sofia
Crafted by Hand. A Photo Diary, digital series
Without an Audience. Visual Stories About Creativity In Isolation, digital series
House of Culture – Visual Archive, audio-visual project
Parallels, photo installation, city of Gabrovo
Working Title, "Rubber" Photography Gallery, Sofia
GROUP EXHIBITIONS, AWARDS AND PUBLICATIONS (SELECTED)
2023 National BG Press Photo Contest, First Prize for photoreportage, Culture, Holidays and Tradition section
2020 Тhe Other Hundred HEALERS, international group exhibition and printed catalogue, Hong Kong Baptist University, China
2020 Out of Character: Gergana Zmiicharova, documentary photo story publication in Everyday Eastern Europe
2019 24. International Biennial of Humor and Satire in Art – juried exhibition and printed catalogue, Contemporary Art section, Museum of Humour and Satire, Gabrovo
2015 Points of View, exhibition with Petrinel Gotchev and Rin Yamamura, Hristo Tsokev City Art Gallery, Gabrovo
National BG Press Photo Contest
The Other Hundred HEALERS
Out of Character: Gergana Zmiicharova
24. International Biennial of Humor and Satire in Art
Points of View
MEDIA PRESENCE (SELECTED)
2024 Third edition of the Homo Faber Biennial for contemporary crafts, interview for the show Kultura.BG, host: Dimitar Stoyanovich, Bulgarian National Television BNT1 (video, 10:00 min.)
2022 Rosina Pencheva archives the creative process of disappearing crafts, interview for the show Art Detective, host: Simona Krasteva, Bulgarian National Television BNT2 (video, 15:00 min.)
2022 Photographer Rosina Pencheva is one of the driving forces behind the new contemporary art podcast The Artist Speaks, interview for the column 20 Questions, author: Krasi Genova, media Capital: Light (text)
2021 Photographer Rosina Pencheva for her solo project "Without an Audience", interview for the initiative Bulgaria On Art, Bulgaria On Air National Television (video, 03:38 min.)
Bulgarian National Television
Bulgarian National Television 2
Capital Light
Homo Faber Guide
