Stavri Kalinov was born in Vidin, Bulgaria on 15 November 1944. He finished school in Vidin then worked freelance in commercial advertising from 1966 to 1968 making posters.
His painting style is a heavily textured mixed oils on canvas, and he is also a sculptor, sculpting in many different mediums, metal, plastic, wood and bronze. In 1969 accepted for wood carving in the Nikolai Pavlovich Higher Institute of Fine Arts. Stavri obtained a diploma from the Academy of Fine Arts (Sofia) under the patronage of Professor Assen Vassilev in 1977.
Stavri Kalinov is one of the most significant contemporary Bulgarian artists. He connects
the Bulgarian history with mythology and folk-art in an aesthetically pleasing style that is
unique. He is widely recognised internationally and has great social standing in his country. Stavri’s sees himself as a hunter of “God’s Blessing”.
His CV includes the following exhibitions amongst others;
1983 Exhibitions in Sofia, Vidin, Gabrovo and Varna
1986 Exhibitions in Germany, Spain and England
1988 Miniature plastic works exhibited in “La galerie d’Etraz” in Lausanne (Switzerland)
1994 Metal monster sculptures exhibited in the “Katie” gallery
In 1995 he was awarded the “Crystal Star” by Art the Makta Art Gallery for best exhibition of the year.