Ivan Radev (1921-2009)

Ivan Radev Rusev, known as Ivan Radev, was born in the city of Shumen. In 1943, he enrolled at the National Academy of Arts, specializing in painting in the studio of Professor Boris Mitov. He graduated in 1948 under Professor Iliya Petrov. Ivan Radev worked for the magazines “Picture Gallery,” “Industrial Aesthetics,” and “Decorative Art.” From 1958 to 1971, he taught the discipline of “Spatial Design” at the National Academy of Art. Ivan Radev was the capital’s chief artist for 10 years and created over 120 designs for museums, exhibitions, interiors, and fairs in Bulgaria and around the world. Among his leading works are the design of the space around the National Palace of Culture (in collaboration with architect Atanas Agura) in 1981 and the interior, museum props, and exhibition design of the Earth and People National Museum.

In 1981, Ivan Radev received the title of “Honorary Citizen” of Shumen. On the 1300th anniversary of the Bulgarian state, the artist donated paintings and sculptures to his hometown of Shumen. Ivan Radev died in Sofia in 2009.