About Lydia
Curriculum vitae of Lydia van den Berg
Born 29th January 1974, Pleven – Bulgaria
From 1988 – 1993 I studied at the School of Fine Arts for Applied Arts in Sofia, Bulgaria, and specialized in textile design. Since my graduation I am working as a freelance artist.
Aims and plans for the future
Currently I work daily in my studio.
My wish and goals are that my art is indirectly absorbed and understood by the audience. Our stressful and intense life style needs color and excitement. My concept is that art should be experienced all around us and that everyone is an artist. I attempt to go around the known dimensions and just let my art flow.
Now I seek to take my art to the general public. I wish to contact producers, businesses and other organizations that recognize my art as a trendy design applicable for marketing.
Residence and studio locations
2010 until today Uster, Canton of Zurich, Switzerland
2010 - Assen, Holland
2006 – 2010 Hervey Bay, Queensland, Australia
1993 – 2006 Uster, Canton of Zurich, Switzerland
1974 – 1993 Pleven and Sofia, Bulgaria
Spoken Languages:
Bulgarian: Fluent (mother tongue)
Deutsch: Fluent
English: Fluent
Studies and training in the field of art:
1988 – 1993 School of Fine Arts for Applied Arts in Sofia, Bulgaria
1986 - 1987 Private preparation courses for the School of Fine Arts for Applied Arts in Sofia, Bulgaria
1980 – 1986 Various private art development courses, Pleven Bulgaria
Exhibitions:
2014 – Workshop with people with a mental health issues, Martin Stiftung, Zürich, Switzerland
2014 – Restaurant “Rütihof”, Zürich – Höngg – Solo Exhibition
2013 – Soul Art Gallery, Zürich - Höngg, Switzerland - Solo exhibition
2012 - International Art Exhibition “Unlimited Potential…Earth Vortices” Castello Estense, Ferrara, Italy in collaboration with Vivid Arts Network
2012 - International Art Exhibition ARTOUR-O,Auditorium al Duomo, Florence, Italy in collaboration with Vivid Arts Network & ARTTOUR International Magazine
2012 - SchoggiMAIL Head Office- Permanent Images Presentation - Eglisau, Switzerland
2012 - Villa Grunholzer - Uster, Switzerland - Collective Exhibition
2012 - FUTURE ARTIST, Volume III, International Art Book/ Catalogue Publication by Modern Art Community, Winchester, USA
2011/2012 - FABRIKladen – Weisslingen, Switzerland - Solo Exhibition
2011 - Die Tagesschau - Aathal, Switzerland - 24 Hour Collective Art Presentation
2011 - Betty Ford Center - California, United States - Permanent Images Presentation
2011 – AGORA Gallery – Manhattan, New York - Solo exhibition
2010 – SchoggiMAILs DESIGNs as art edition for Swiss chocolate, Eglisau – Switzerland
2009 – Centacare Fraser Coast – Image “Future Dreams” as Logo for the Family Mental Health Program – Hervey Bay, Queensland, Australia
2009 – Jeanette ART Book Shop – Permanent Images Presentation for sale – Maryborough, Queensland, Australia
2009 – Centacare Fraser Coast – Permanent Quilt design for Office Presentation – Hervey Bay, Queensland, Australia
2009 – Restaurant “TASTY“– Permanent Images Presentation for Restaurant design – Maryborough, Queensland, Australia
2008 – Library Hervey Bay - Bookmark Design Award – Hervey Bay, Queensland, Australia
2008 – Water Education Park – Hervey Bay, Queensland, Australia in collaboration with the architectural company ARGO - Brisbane und Wide Bay Water – Hervey Bay, Queensland, Australia
1999 – Schule für Sozialarbeit – Zürich, Switzerland solo exhibition in collaboration with CABARET’COBLAIRE
1998 – RAV ZENTRUM – Wetzikon, Switzerland – collective
1998 - Restaurant SONNE - Uster, Switzerland – in collaboration with CABARET’COBLAIRE
1998 - Business Office “PER MED“– Zürich, Switzerland – collective
1996 – INK. ART & TEXT – Zürich, Switzerland – collective
1996 – BILD & RAUM – Zürich, Switzerland – collective
1995 – Handwerk Kollektiv – Zürich,Switzerland – window decoration
1993 – Festival for Modern Art – Tunis, Tunisia - collective
1993 – Festival for Modern Art “Space Process“– Balchik, Bulgaria – collective and employed as assistant manager
1993 – Gallery Lessedra – Sofia, Bulgaria – solo exhibition
1992 - Gallery Art 36 – Sofia, Bulgaria - collective
1992 – Gallery Schipka 6 – Sofia, Bulgaria – collective
Performance art:
1995 – Stiftung BINZ 39 - POW WOW – Zürich, Switzerland – collective
1994 – Business Office “DESSPRED“– Sofia, Bulgaria in collaboration with Peter Karl Kobler
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LYDIA VAN DEN BERG was born in 1974 in Pleven, Bulgaria. When she was 7 years old she lost her father. Because of poverty and the fight for everyday life this was a very difficult and demanding time for Lydia and her mother. Lydia's idol was her older brother Dinko from whom she gained her strength.
Lydia had only one wish and that was to study art as her brother did.
When she was 14 Lydia left home to begin her studies in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. Soon after her graduation at the school for applied arts in Sofia, Lydia migrated to Switzerland.
Lydia travelled extensively in Northern Africa and Europe finding inspiration along the way. She was fascinated and inspired by the people from different cultures which she visited. On all of Lydia's travels she noticed that all cultures find their survival and safety within the boundaries of their home. This inspired Lydia and is reflected in her art. Lydia's experiences were first translated into abstract images. Since then she experimented with many different techniques to find her preferred medium which is Acrylics on Paper, Papier-maché and Encaustics (bee wax on wood).
Lydia married for a second time in January 2003 and lived in Switzerland before migrating together with her family to Australia in 2007.
Since Lydia became a mother of two children she specialized and focused her creative style on Magical - Poetic - Realism. She is inspired and fascinated by the gradual transition from being a child to becoming an adult. Lydia's works reflect everyday life which can be understood by children and adults alike.
After living in Australia for three and a half years Lydia realized that her roots were in Europe. During her last six months in Australia she, together with her family, travelled around that huge continent. In 2010 they ended their adventures with a trip around Europe.
At 38, Lydia has lost her mother. Lydia has had a close relationship with her and this was a difficult and painful moment in Lydia's life.
Today Lydia is living and working as an artist near Zurich - Switzerland.