Happy Birthday Debut!

Debut Contemporary celebrated its 4^th birthday last month. Curators, artists and art-lovers gathered in Noting Hill to sip their bellinis, listen to the sounds of a professional DJ and talk -what else? But of course- art, while celebrating the opening of Debut, 4 years ago.  For that night only, we had the chance to admire the best pieces generated by the artists that Samir, CEO of the Gallery, has been mentoring all these years. Daniela Raytchev and Marina Ard are only two of them and they have a special message for our readers.

“I can’t even stress how it helps artists to grow when you buy their art, in early stages of their career. The support is invaluable”, says Daniela.

Daniela was always drawing and painting, but she actually studied fashion design at the London College of Fashion and continued her studies in Central Saint Martins. After graduation, she went through various phases and needed a break from London. She decided then to go to South Africa for a year.

There, she realized that painting is what she wants to do; what makes her express herself in the best way. Daniela started by selling a few postcards and surprisingly, she had a really good response.

When she came back to London, in the beginning of 2014, she came across Debut and started painting to express social stigma. She has been doing this since then.

Daniela is currently working on a project with the support of the Center of Addiction, collaborating at the same time with the Eating Disorders Charity. She is preparing her solo exhibition, where she is going to demonstrate a series of portraits of people who have been through addictions, like food, drugs and sex. Through her paintings, she is trying to pass a positive message and show that recovery is possible for everyone. She would like from people to not be ashamed of this subject anymore, she wants her art to be discussed and analyzed. She looks full of hope as she reveals her vision.

I interviewed Daniela in her studio in Vauxhall. She calls it messy but I just found it cozy and colorful. 

“People should buy art because art it’s beautiful”, believes Daniela and encourages you to spend your money on her, and not only. She asks you to support young artists like her, by buying their art. Art is the reflection of the society. Different people connect to different pieces. It describes what’s going on around, and what people are focusing on more, at a specific time. When you connect to a piece of art, you actually feel more connected to the outside world, as she believes.

“Art is investment. Catching emerging artists is what you should look for when buying art in a young age. You can either resell it or just pride yourself for being the owner of a beautiful piece of art”, agrees with her, Marina. Marina started as a fashion model but she is now well known for her dynamic and contemporary abstract prints. She is devoted to her art but also to her role as a mommy. Something her friend Daniela admires her for.

The two met in Debut, where Samir runs weekly interesting and insightful workshops for his artists.

By Yorva Tsiakara