ARTRIOTI — The Faces We Remember
A portrait of Chudomir — the artistic name of Dimitar Chorbadzhiyski: Bulgarian writer, painter, caricaturist, teacher and museum figure whose talent never fitted into just one definition. He studied art, created caricatures and paintings, wrote humorous stories and became deeply involved in the cultural life of Kazanlak.
His books include „Не съм от тях“, „Нашенци“, „Аламинут“ and „Кой както я нареди“ — works populated by wonderfully recognisable characters, observed with humour, irony and an extraordinary eye for human nature.
This original illustration is part of ARTRIOTI — my illustrated archive of the writers, artists, actors and musicians who left a lasting mark on Bulgarian culture.
WHY I DREW HIM
I drew Чудомир because he is one of my personal favourites.
I love the way he looks at people.
His characters can be ridiculous, stubborn, vain, clever, naive and completely impossible — but somehow they always feel real. There is satire in his work, but also affection. He laughs at human nature without losing his curiosity about it.
And perhaps that is what I love most about him: he was both a writer and an artist. He observed people with the pen and with the brush — which makes him feel especially close to the idea behind ARTRIOTI.
I could never make a collection about Bulgarian cultural memory and leave Chudomir out of it.
I draw them so we don’t forget them.
THE PIECE
Original illustration by Svetlomira Minkova, created in Sofia as part of the ARTRIOTI series.
A tribute to a man who could capture an entire character with a few lines — written or drawn.
Bulgarian culture, drawn to be remembered.