Borya Shapshalova aka BoryaXYZ
Artist CV and Bio
Borya Shapshalova aka BoryaXYZ (b. 1989, Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria) is a contemporary interdisciplinary artist based in Sofia, Bulgaria. She works across multiple mediums, including digital generative art, abstract painting, metaverse environments, sculpture, and performance. Shapshalova is best known for her metaverse environments that invite playful exploration of digital realms, alternative communication technologies, and the native curation and experience of digital art. Her abstract paintings explore the tension between strong, hard lines and bursts of color, while her statement jewelry, crafted from reimagined discarded objects, challenges conventional notions of wearability and identity.
In her practice, Shapshalova investigates the hidden determinants of human behavior and consciousness, examining how societal, self-imposed, corporate, and familial constraints affect, obscure and distort our intrinsic and innate nature. Notable projects include the LineMAT Series (2021–2023), which explores generative audio-reactive digital art; RESIDENT ALIEN (2019), a collection of statement jewelry made from found objects; and the Metaverse Architecture Series (2022–2023), a blend of commissioned and self-initiated virtual spaces designed for digital art exhibitions and alternative modes of communication. Her artistic evolution is also marked by the mixed-media Passing Through Stars Series (2012-2017) and the explorative AeonMapping Performances (2013-2018).
Shapshalova's work has gained recognition through various exhibitions and residencies. She has participated in the VCA Residency's 2nd cohort and presented her work in the YouTopia exhibition, curated by Micol Ap at Elsewhere Art Gallery in both London and New York. Her digital work has been featured in the official curated selections of NFT Paris 2023, NFT Liverpool 2022 and at PROOF OF PEOPLE London, and she has contributed to (Re)configuring Territories at Narva Art Residency. Notable solo presentations include the ‘Placenta’ show and the ‘AeonMapping1.0’ performance, with her works held in various private collections both nationally and internationally.
Education
2009-2014: MArch in Architecture, Spec.Urban Planning, UACEG, Sofia, Bulgaria
2008-2009: Architecture Foundation, Varna Free University, Varna, Bulgaria
2003-2008: Diploma in Fine Art, Spec.Printmaking, National Humanitarian High School, Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria
Selected solo exhibitions
2021, Alternatives,Moshtanska Kushta Gallery, Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria
2019, RESIDENT ALIEN, MOVE.BG, Sofia, Bulgaria
2017, AeonMapping1.0, Atelieto, Sofia, Bulgaria
2012, Placenta, Lubimo Gallery, Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria
Selected group exhibitions
2023, YouTopia, Elsewhere (The NFT Gallery), London, United Kingdom and New York, USA
2023, NFT Paris Official Curation, Grand Palais, Paris, France
2022, Enter the Betaverse, betahaus, Sofia, Bulgaria
2022, PROOF OF PEOPLE, fabric, London, United Kingdom
2022, NFT Liverpool Official Selection, Adelia Art Gallery, Liverpool, United Kingdom
2022, VerticalCryptoArt Residency Auction + Exhibition, The Metaverse [link]
2019, (Re)configuring Territories, Narva Art Residency, Narva, Estonia
2018, Коледни бъркотии, Sabai Gallery, Sofia, Bulgaria
2018, Puppyish & Friends, City Gallery, Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria
2015, EXPERIMENTO, 13th IN THE PALACE International Short Film Festival, Sofia, Bulgaria
2014, theHARD+theSOFT, Vitosha Boulevard, Sofia, Bulgaria
2014, Subway Station No. 22, Vitosha Boulevard, Sofia, Bulgaria
2013, Wrappings, Vlaykova Cinema, Sofia, Bulgaria
2012, Kuki Wonderland, Suvilahti Cultural Center, Helsinki, Finland
2008, Annual Graduation Show, Blagoevgrad City Gallery, Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria
2007, Jeanne, Geo Milev Theater, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria
2006, Soul of a Violin, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
2005, Occasion for Murder, Blagoevgrad, Kavarna and Plovdiv Bulgaria
Selected collections
The Edicurial Collection
Varna Free University Art Collection
Borya Shapshalova is collected by private collectors in Bulgaria, Spain and USA.
Awards
2018, B-School Scholarship (winner), Marie Forleo Foundation, New York, USA
2015, 48h Sofia Film Challenge (winning team), IN THE PALACE International Short Film Festival, Sofia,Bulgaria
2012, EASA Wastelands Open Call (selected), EASA, Helsinki, Finland
Residencies
2021-2022, VCA Residency Cohort 2, VerticalCrypto Art, The Metaverse
2019, (Re)configuring Territories, Narva Art Residency, Narva, Estonia
Selected press
Filipa Ivanova Ognianova, “Професия: NFT артист - Работи в бъдещето” (‘Profession: NFT Artist - Working in the Future’) interview for Bulgarian National Television (2022) [link].
Mircho Hristov, “Творческият колектив „На улицата“ отвори темата за дигиталните изкуства в града на липите” (‘The creative collective "On the Street" opened the topic of digital arts in the city of linden trees’) in dolap.bg (2022) [link] .
Ricko Leung, “From Cryptopunk to Crypto Patron” in Larry’s List (2022) [link] .
Harry Martin, “VerticalCrypto Art presents: Fundraising Auction Event for NFT-native Residency Program — on Wednesday, January 19th 2022” in Medium (2022) [link].
Harry Martin, “VerticalCrypto Art Roundup: Saturday — January 22nd 2022” in Medium (year) [link] .
Antoniya Kamenichka, “Боря Шапшалова - архитектът, чието призвание е да бъде ковач на бижута” (‘Borya Shapshalova - the architect whose calling is to be a jewelry blacksmith’) in Bulgarian National Radio, 2020 [link]
Unknown, “︎Интервю’ (‘Interview”) in Gradat Media Group, 2014 [link].
Bibliography
Vanity Fair Autumn Campaign, Condé Nast, 2018 [link]
Johana Blanc, ‘For reasons that can go from dramaturgical to technical’ , Luxembourg, 2017 [link]
Borya Shapshalova, ‘Commercial Centers as a new public space’ , article,TheCity Weekly, 2014
Borya Shapshalova, ‘Office Space Solutions inspired by the employees’, article,TheCity Weekly, 2014
Borya Shapshalova, ‘Contemporary challenges in erecting office buildings’ , article,TheCity Weekly, 2014
Borya Shapshalova, ‘Façade Engineering’ , article,TheCity Weekly, 2014
Professional contributions
2022-2023: Mentor, VCA Residency, Online and in the Metaverse
2022-2023: Project Manager (execution of exhibitions, auctions and other art-related events and activities), VerticalCrypto Art, remote and on-site in London, United Kingdom, and Paris, France
2015: Leader, Summer Art Education Camps for Children, Vietnam
2013: Instructor, Contemporary Dance Workshop ‘Breath and Sound in the Context of Touch’, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
contact
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Last edit: February 2025