
The Artist at Work (2017)
Performance work, drawing, ink on paper
Part of the group exhibition “Close Encounters - Visual Dialogs”, Institute for Contemporary Art, Sofia - 2017
"Denitsa Milusheva’s next work is a performance—drawing an endless number of little human figures in real-time. This is a unique interplay between contemporary mass production and the artist’s search for a resemblance between her figures and the ones painted on cave walls in ancient times."
— Lachezar Boyadzhiev
"What is to be a Young Artist in Bulgaria?",
Kultura newspaper, Issue 43 (3188), December 15, 2017)
Denitsa Milusheva’s performance is a durational drawing act that explores the process of artistic creation rather than the final result. Through the continuous, repetitive drawing of small human figures, the artist reflects on themes of mass production, artistic labor, and the contrast between human effort and mechanical efficiency. Inspired by ancient cave paintings, the work examines the connection between past and present modes of artistic expression.
The performance unfolds in real-time, emphasizing the concentration and physical control required in a manual drawing. By inviting the audience to witness the act of creation rather than a completed artwork, Milusheva challenges conventional perceptions of artistic labor. Her work also questions the relevance of repetitive manual processes in an era of automation, highlighting the human experience and intentionality behind artistic practice.
Presented as part of the Close Encounters exhibition at the Institute of Contemporary Art – Sofia, the performance occurs during the exhibition opening and continues in scheduled sessions every Saturday. Through this structured yet open-ended act of drawing, Milusheva engages with the broader discourse on the artist’s working conditions, time, and the evolving role of art in contemporary society.



