The serene skies, comfortable curves and minimalist, soothing landscapes in an Albert Hadjiganev painting are a deceptive representation of the artist’s soul. They belie a lifetime of struggle to achieve an artistic dream. Born in 1954 in Bulgaria to a family of artists, Hadjiganev fantasized of an artistic Parisian existence throughout childhood. He studied photography in Sofia and was influenced by the work of his painter father and sculptor brother. But he never forgot his ultimate goal: to study at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris. So at the age of 28, he left his native land and walked across the border. After numerous hardships, he finally reached Paris, where he eked out a hungry existence as a starving young artist. By 1987, however, his struggle paid off, and he graduated from the prestigious Ecole, and his dream was fulfilled. Hadjiganev’s distinctive talent was quickly recognized by his artistic peers in Paris. In 1989, he became the recipient of the coveted Grand Prix de Peinture of the Academie des Beaux-Arts. Chosen from among one thousand artists, his paintings were shown all over France and Europe. In 1990, he received the Prix du Gouvernement Princier at the Salon International d’Art Contemporain in Monaco. The critical acclaim he has received has had little effect on the personality of this unassuming painter, however. When he starts a painting, “I do not know what is to come,” he said. “It is the canvas that decides—I am merely a tool. I become very small.” But Hadjiganev’s talent is anything but small. The sparkling vistas of his landscapes spark feeling of longing and peace in the viewer. His photographic training is also evident in the composition of his interior work. He leads viewers into his paintings, often through a geometric shape. A window, a door, a table or the frame of a picture are all openings that capture a still moment within a limited visual frame while opening up a new perspective to the viewer. And his elegant nudes exude a shy, intimate feeling of poetry and light. “I do not paint to make something pretty. I paint to put my heart in my paintings,” he explains. As a minimalist, Hadjiganev captures the simple moments of daily life with only a few elements. With perfect technique and deep sensitivity, he freely transfigures reality to create a mysterious environment filled with grace. With harmony, loneliness of the soul and a peaceful nostalgia, Hadjiganev invites the viewer to meditate and dream. His quiet strength and mastery of his craft are indeed reflected of his unforgettable work. His simple philosophy on life is the core of his work: “One does not need to say too much to say it all,” he explains.