An exhibition bringing together the work of Nina Ruseva and Jennings Falzon celebrates artistic dialogue and strengthens cultural ties between Bulgaria and Malta.

The creative worlds of Bulgarian artist Nina Ruseva and Maltese sculptor Jennings Falzon have come together in Bridging Horizons, a joint exhibition that opened at The Mission Gallery in Sofia on Tuesday 15th September, celebrating the shared possibilities of artistic exchange between the two countries.

Bringing together painting and sculpture, the exhibition explores how different artistic disciplines can engage in a meaningful dialogue, with each artist offering a distinctive perspective shaped by their experiences, influences and creative practices.

During the opening, Malta’s non-resident Ambassador to Bulgaria, Anne Marie Muscat Fenech Adami, announced that Bridging Horizons will also be presented in Malta in November, giving audiences on the island the opportunity to experience the collaboration first-hand.

Speaking at the event, Yavor Koinakov, Acting Director of the State Cultural Institute under the Minister of Foreign Affairs, reflected on the relationship between the two artists’ work.

“The true connection emerges not where the works are similar, but where they begin to speak to one another,” he said, highlighting how the contrast between painting and sculpture can become a source of creative conversation rather than division.

For Jennings Falzon, the creative process is shaped not only by his original vision but also by the materials he uses. Speaking to the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA), the Maltese sculptor explained that a sculpture can evolve considerably throughout its creation.

“I start with a particular concept, but the material can lead me towards a different movement or structure, and even a different development of the original idea,” he said, describing the way his chosen medium can influence the final result.

The exhibition is the latest outcome of an artistic relationship that began following the Maltese sculptor’s first presentation in Bulgaria in 2018. Conversations and an exchange of ideas between the artists have since developed into the current collaborative project, bringing together their respective approaches to art and creative expression.

Jennings Falzon’s artistic influences include fantasy art and Greek mythology, alongside the visual and cultural legacy of the Renaissance and Maltese Baroque. These references form part of a practice that explores ideas through sculptural form, while remaining open to the possibilities offered by different materials and techniques.

Nina Ruseva’s work, meanwhile, reflects a fascination with the natural world and diverse geographical landscapes. Her 2023 exhibition Atlantis drew inspiration from locations including Peru, Antarctica and Perperikon, while her 2022 exhibition Earth Forces, also held at The Mission Gallery, explored the power of nature through works inspired by the Magura and Vrelo caves.

With its presentation in Malta scheduled for November, Bridging Horizons looks set to continue its journey across borders, demonstrating how art can create connections between cultures, disciplines and communities.

Well done, Jennings Falzon!

Photo credits: BTA