Valentin Yotkov — www.valentinyotkov.com

Feb 16, 2008 – 7pm – “Behind the revival of Chasing and Repousse.” (45 min seminar)

video presentationAfter becoming almost a lost art, the ancient metalsmithing techniques of Chasing and Repousse are currently experiencing their modern day Renaissance. Repousse is the process of raising intricate reliefs directly in metal such as gold, silver or copper.

We are honored to represent Master Silversmith Valentin Yotkov, one of the world’s foremost experts in Chasing and Repousse and the driving force behind the revival of this Art form in the United States.

Trained in the “Old world” apprenticeship system of Europe, at the age of 22 Valentin became the youngest member in the history of the National Silversmiths Guild of Bulgaria. Three years later he became the president of the guild.

Mr. Yotkov’s work has been exhibited nationally and around the world since 1980 and he is the recipient of numerous prestigious awards.

Today the Valentin Yotkov Studio is the only school in the United States specializing in chasing and repousse instruction. More than 1500 jewelers, jewelry designers and metal smiths have studied with Valentin. Among them are members of the Tiffany & Co.’s silverware department.

Artist Statement

yotkovI have always admired the skills of the ancient masters. My native Bulgaria was the homeland of the legendary Thracian gold and silversmiths, who created their timeless masterpieces some 2500 years ago. Their exquisite works had a great influence on my personal style, and became an inspiration for life.

I am attracted to the richness of the ancient forms and designs. Ancient gold and silver pieces are so mysterious, distant and different – they appear to me like today’s new concept in metal.

Over the course of a decade I studied newly excavated gold and silver treasures, copied some of the vessels to find what tools and techniques were used by the Thracian masters. That was an exiting spiritual communication with a far-off epoch and my first introduction to chasing and repousse.

These magnificent techniques, almost lost through the ages, became my favorite form of expression in metal. Not only for the dramatic enhancement they bring to ones work – I believe that as we look into the future, relaying on modern technologies and inventions, we should not let our previous knowledge and experience be forgotten, or even lost.

Within each of my works lives the preservation of an old metalwork technique, representing the rich history and culture of my country. And like my ancestors, I hope that these skills and techniques will be preserved and passed on so they can be appreciated by the future generations, as well.

Biography

Valentin Yotkov is a renowned master silversmith whose spectacular work has been exhibited throughout the world.

Mr. Yotkov’s training began during the early 70’s, in his homeland of Bulgaria, where he first studied fine arts. During those early years Mr. Yotkov worked for Bulgaria’s most accomplished painters and silversmiths. Trained in the “old world” apprenticeship system of Europe, at the age of 22 he became the youngest member in the history of the National Silversmiths Guild of Bulgaria. Three years later he became the president of the guild.

Today he and his family reside in the United States where in 1994 he founded the Valentin Yotkov Studio, located in Brooklyn. The studio is recognized as the only school in the country specializing in Chasing and Repousse instruction. It attracts students and professional jewelers and metalsmiths from around the world.

Mr. Yotkov has developed a strong following among students, and expert silversmiths who receive training from him in ancient metalwork techniques such as, Raising, Chasing and Repousse. Among his students are members of the Tiffany & Co.’s silverware department.

students
Master Yotkov and his students

RECENT WORKSHOPS AND DEMONSTRATIONS

Honolulu Academy of Art, Honolulu, HI 2007
Art and Culture Exploration Adventure, Bulgaria 2007
School of Contemporary and Viking Jewelry, Bornholm, Denmark 2007
Drawing and Stylizing designs for Repousse, Florence, Italy 2006
Colorado Metalsmiths Association, Salida CO 2006
Northeast Blacksmiths Association, High Falls, NY 2006
The Arts Center, St Petersburg, FL 2006
Carlos Museum at Emory University, Atlanta, GA 2005
Rubin Museum of Art, New York, NY 2005
Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY 2005
MetalsEdge Studio, Scottsdale, AZ 2005
Rio Grande Catalog in Motion, Tucson, AZ 2005
Roswell Center for Visual Arts, Atlanta, GA, 2004
Presentation at the Annual SNAG Conference, St Petersburg, FL 2004
Atlantic Center for the Arts, New Smirna Beach, FL 2004
Syracuse University, School of Art and Design, Syracuse, NY 2003
Denver Jewelry Academy, Denver, CO 2002
Masters Symposium, Revere Academy of Jerwelry Arts, CA 2002
Le Arti Orafe Jewelry School, Florence, Italy 2001
Southwest School of Art and Craft, San Antonio, TX 2001
Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts, San Francisco, CA 2001
Newark Museum, Newark, NJ 2001
Arapahoe College, Littleton, CO 2001
Wildacres, New Switzerland, NC 2001
Tiffany & Co Workshop, Parsippany, NJ 2000
Society of American Silversmiths, Chepachet, RI 2000
Tiffany & Co Workshop, Valentin Yotkov Studio, NY 2000
Brookfield Crafts Center, Brookfield, CT 2000
Metalwerx, Woburn, MA 2000
Tiffany & Co Workshop, Valentin Yotkov Studio, NY 1999
New York University, Conservation Center of Institute of Fine Arts 1999
Worcester Center for Crafts, Worcester , MA 1999
Yavapai College, Prescott, AZ 1999
New Mexico Metalsmiths Association, Corrales, NM 1999
Maryland Institute, College of Art, Baltimore, MD 1999
Long Island Crafts Guild, Garvey’s Point, NY 1999
Tiffany & Co. Workshop, Brooklyn NY January 1999
Valentin Yotkov Studio Workshops, Brooklyn, NY. 1994 to present
American Craft Museum, New York, NY 1992

(Feature Video: Directed and Produced by Petko Radilov)

Write a comment:

Your email address will not be published.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.