Born in Sofia, Bulgaria, Ilian Rachov starts his artistic career like self-taught man in 1988 realizing copies of medieval orthodox icons and frescoes, re-discovering ancient techniques of gilding methods and how to engrave after the golden backgrounds of the icons. His personal elaboration of that kind of old techniques and his modern view of this very antique art helps him to develop an own personal and unmistakable style in the iconography field.
This makes him very popular in Bulgaria and outside of the borders, gaining international appreciation and followers.
Donatella Versace ed Ilian Rachov
Lot of the Ilian's icons and oil paintings are properties of many Museums and churches in Bulgaria, Germany and Italy:
The Rila Monastery in Bulgaria;
The St.George church in Sofia, Bulgaria;
The Monastery of St.Menas in Sofia, Bulgaria;
The Preobrajen Monastery in Bulgaria;
The Curch of St.Petka in Petrich, Bulgaria;
The St.Eliah in Sofia, Bulgaria;
The Church Sacro cuore of The International Salesian's Institute in Turin, Italy;
The Curch of St.Nicandro di Bari in Italy;
The Curch of The Salesians in Turin;
The Church of The Vatican Embassy in Sofia, Bulgaria;
The Church of Mary La Consolata in Turin, Italy;
The Church of St.Rita in Turin, Italy;
The Historical MUSEUM of Chiprovzi in Bulgaria;
The Ethnographic MUSEUM of Hamburg in Germany
and also of many privat Collections in:
Rome, Vatican, Palermo, Milan, New York, Chicago, Miami, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Paris, Strasburg, Hamburg, Berlin, Frankfurt, London, Madrid, Barcelona, Caracas, Tokyo, Moskow, Sofia, Plovdiv, Turin.
Ilian has partecipated in 12 exhibitions in Hamburg, Germany, realized thanks to the Honorary Consul of Bulgaria - Proff. Dott. Imeyer and his wife Mrs. Petra Imeyer.
In all of this shows Ilian did alive demonstrations of his Art and of the special techniques to paint an icon.
Since 2003 Ilian Rachov collaborate with VERSACE and VERSACE Home Collection, designing mostly of their baroque style ornamental designs used for prints on scarves, fabrics, clothes, cushions, lamps and bed spreads of the famous VERSACE Home Signature.
In 1996 for his unique colour combinations of his art works he receives the DECORATION, according to which, "The Icons painted by Ilian Rachov show an esthetic and wealthy effect".
In 1996 he paints on wood "The Angel of Peace and Freedom" for the "Nikola and Latina Tanev Foundation in Chicago, U.S.A.
In 1997 he confers the Prize "Golden Phenomenon of Bulgaria" for his contribute to the Bulgarian figurative Arts.
In 1997 he participates with live show at the Icon Exhibition in Alstertall Einkauf Zentrum in Hamburg, Germany.
He shows also some of his works in two exhibitions in the Ethnographic Museum in Hamburg, Germany.
In 1998 he is invited again in Hamburg from the Ethnographic Museum to show his works there. In Alstertall Einkaufszentrum he organized for the second time the Icon Exhibition with live show.
In 1999 from the President department of Bulgaria he received the commission to execute two portraits in classical style of the First Lady of Bulgaria - Mrs. Antonina Stojanova.
In 1999 he is invited again in Hamburg to show his icons and to organize again the Icon Exhibition in the Ethnographical Museum and Alstertall Einkaufszentrum.
In 2000 Ilian received from the Mons. Antonio Mennini - Vatican Ambassador in Sofia the commission to create in case of "The Jubillee 2000" a big painting representing The Holy Lamb of God for the ceiling of the Church in the Embassy.
In 2000 he realize again several shows in Germany.
In 2000 Ilian moves to live in Italy - the most artistic country in Europe. He decides to stay at moment in Turin - the old capital of Italy. Here he discover the beauty of the old baroque style ,which will influences much to his later works.
In 2001 he paints the first icon in Byzantine style of St. John Bosco for the church of the Salesian's Order in Turin, Italy.
For the same Order he executes also a big oil painting now in Aula Magna of the International Salesian's Institute in Turin.
He continues to make shows in Germany and to participate in several exhibitions in Italy.
In 2002 he executes the big wall-painting on the altar wall in the Salesian's Church in Crocetta,Turin in Italy. The fresco represents the Holy Trinity of the Old Testament.
In 2002 Ilian paint also a big icon of The Dormition Of The Virgin for Mons. Auza - secretary of the Vatican City.
In 2002 he is again in Germany for the Yearly Icon Exhibition.
In 2003 he paints numerous icons and paintings for many privat collectors and istitutions.
He is one of the Artists presented on the International Art Show in Villa Amoreti in Turin,Italy.
In 2003 Ilian executes his first designer's projects for VERSACE. They were later printed on the cushions, lamps, bed spreads of the VERSACE Home Collection and over the scarves and fabrics for VERSACE Collezione Donna.
In 2005 his designs created for VERSACE ware shown in the annual show “Salone del Mobile” in Milan. They could be seen also on the official website of VERSACE Home Collection.
In 2005 he paints also numerous paintings in oil and icons for many private collectors and for some churches in Italy.
In 2005 he was contacted by The British Royal Mail for realizing a limited edition of Christmas Stamps with some of his icons.
In 2005 he still create designs for VERSACE, very appreciated all around the world.
In 2006 his works are shown in the Exhibition “CALEIDOSCOPIO” in “Gallery Crispi” in Rome.
In 2006 Ilian continued to search and create new contemporary baroque style ornamental designs for VERSACE HOME COLLECTION.
In 2007 he restored the old fresco ceilings in one important property in Nizza Monferrato, Italy.
In 2008 he created the ceiling paintings for numerous important commitments in Italy.
In 2009 he participated in the International Exhibition Italia Arte in Turin and win the prize for young emerging artist.
He realized a big oil painting “The Tiger Hunt” for The Furniture Salon in Milan c/o Wozzup Showroom in Milan.
He open also a personal exhibition called “Sebastian and Love” c/o Artifex Stile and Design.
In 2010 he created a portrait of the famous italian tv hostess and journalist Barbara Castellani.
Realized also an big icon for the altar of a church in Turin, Italy called “The Pregnant Virgin”.
In 2010 he won through more than 300 artists from all around the world The International Prize “Artist Of The Year” during the annual international exhibition Italia Arte in Turin.
He realized an important icon commissioned from the Cardinal of Turin, Mons. Severino Poletto.
In 2011 he was in the cast of the movie “Venuto al Mondo” (“Twice Born”) directed by Sergio Castellitto and Margaret Mazzantini with Penèlope Cruz and Emile Hirsch.
He realized a portrait of the actress Penèlope Cruz, now in her private collection.
Being an artist with high aesthetic sense he exhibit some of his more important works during the MISS World Italy in Milan and he was called to be a jury for important events like Miss Cinema Italy, Mister made in Italy Piedmont, MISS FERRARI etc.
During his artistic career he participated in various Television shows like artist and expert of Art.
Some of his scarfs and clothes created for VERSACE were wear by important persons like Christina Aguilera, Donatella Versace, Elton John, Madonna etc..
Ilian Rachov è nato a Sofia nel 1970 ed inizia la sua carriera artistica come autodidatta nel 1988, realizzando copie di icone ortodosse e affreschi medievali, riscoprendo e impadronendosi di antiche tecniche ormai dimenticate. L'elaborazione personale di tali tecniche e l'utilizzo di un particolare cromatismo gli consentono di creare uno stile personale che gli permette di varcare i confini della Bulgaria.
La notorietà` artistica acquisita nel suo paese lo porta alla partecipazione a trasmissioni televisive in Bulgaria e in Germania come artista ed esperto del settore.
Attualmente molte delle sue opere appartengono a collezioni pubbliche (Vaticano, Museo Etnografico a Hamburg, Monastero di Rila in Bulgaria, Istituto Internazionale don Bosco a Torino..) e private (a Roma, Palermo, Torino, Londra, Tokio, New York, Las Vegas, Los Angelis, Chicago...) di diversi paesi del mondo.
Il suo naturale desiderio di un'ulteriore evoluzione artistica e le diverse richieste dei committenti, gli hanno creato i presupposti per spaziare in tutti i campi della pittura e di produrre opere stilisticamente molto diverse tra loro. E' stato invitato a realizzare due ritratti della moglie del presidente bulgaro.
Esposizioni e Partecipazioni
11 mostre con partecipazione dal vivo ad Amburgo,
7 in Italia e una a Lyon.
Ha creato per GIANNI VERSACE S.p.a sei intere collezioni con disegni barocchi in utilizzo tuttora da VERSACE HOME COLLECTION.
Nel 2005 e` stato contattato dalla British Royal Mail per poter utilizzare alcune delle sue opere per una edizione limitata di francobolli.
Grazie al suo stile personale che unisce il realismo della pittura classica e la ricchezza dei colori all'arte e il design contemporaneo e` stato incaricato di realizzare numerosi affreschi e opere murali nei palazzi antichi (a Nizza Monferrato, Incisa, Villa Paradiso a Torino..), chiese e abitazioni privati.
Nell'arco della sua ventennale attività artistica Ilian ha partecipato a diversi concorsi e mostre di pittura e design (Salone del Mobile, Villa Guallino, La Promotrice delle belle Arti Torino, Villa Amoretti ecc..) ed ha vinto numerosi premi (Fenomeno d'oro, Emergente artista,..) in Italia e all'estero.