Kosta Tonev

Kosta Tonev’s artistic practice is based on research on history and politics. Through a host of mediums, the artist establishes visual references to popular themes related to cinema, audio plays, puppet theater, etc. Storytelling is a central aspect of his approach. Multiple works are often part of a series held together by a narrative thread. By being frequently present in the work, he traces the interrelation between the private and political realms.

Kosta Tonev (*1980 Plovdiv, Bulgaria) received a BA from the National Academy of Art in Sofia and an MA from the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna. Tonev has participated in multiple exhibitions and international residence programs.
His most recent work “Late Night in Sorrento” is a web-based project hosted by Akademie Schloss Solitude in Stuttgart and ZKM | Center for Art and Media in Karlsruhe (2020).
His recent solo exhibitions include “This Land Is Your Land” at CU29 in Plovdiv (2019) and “EXPO” at Kluckyland in Vienna (2018). Amongst others, he has participated in “Red Vienna” at the Wien Museum MUSA in Vienna (2019), “So Far, So Right: A Study of Reforms and Transitions Across Borders” at Kuandu Museum of Fine Arts in Taipei (2018), “Black Quarry” at Corner College in Zurich (2017), “I and the Others” at Museum der Moderne Salzburg in Salzburg (2014), the “5th Biennial of Young Artists” in Bucharest (2012), “Contemporary Icons” at the Webster University in St. Louis (2012) and “Why Duchamp?” at the Museum for Contemporary Art in Sofia (2012).

Kosta Tonev lives and works in Vienna.