Martina Nikova

Biography

Born in Sofia, Bulgaria in 1983, Martina spent her early childhood studying piano in hopes of becoming professional pianist. In 2001, her family came to the United States and Martina began a lifelong relationship with the visual arts. In 2007, she graduated from the Columbus College of Art and Design and earned honors that year as Outstanding Senior. Martina received a Masters of Fine Arts degree form the University of Illinois in 2010.

Martina begins by describing a shape, often building layers of free, translucent pigment and encloses the form with a bold line. The relatively large scale of her paintings allows her to interact with the piece as if it were a three dimensional object. All the marks, textures, layers, and even mistakes generate a meaning.

Solo Exhibitions

Alien Nation, Thesis Exhibition (2010) Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana

Something Still Next to Something Fluid (2007) Sean Christopher Gallery, Columbus, Ohio

Thesis Exhibition (2007) Columbus College of Art and Design, Columbus, Ohio

Group Exhibitions

The Smile Without the Cat, Juried Exhibition (2010) University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire

M.F.A. Show (2010) Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana

Small and Wonderful (2009) Hammond Harkins Galleries, Columbus, Ohio

Body Triple, Three-Person Show (2009) Hammond Harkins Galleries, Columbus, Ohio

NSAL Emerging Artist Exhibition, Juried Show (2009) Bloomington, Indiana

M.F.A. Show (2009) Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana

Small and Wonderful (2008) Hammond Harkins Galleries, Columbus, Ohio

Fresh Art (2008) Hammond Harkins Galleries, Columbus, Ohio

Small and Wonderful (2007) Hammond Harkins Galleries, Columbus, Ohio

Agora III, Juried Exhibition (2007) Junctionview Studios, Columbus, Ohio

Fresh Art (2007) Hammond Harkins Galleries, Columbus, Ohio

Agora Spring 2007, Juried Exhibition (2007) Junctionview Studios, Columbus, Ohio

Ohio State Fair Professional Division Exhibition, Juried Exhibition (2005) Columbus, Ohio

Annual Student Exhibition, Juried Exhibition (2004, 2005, 2006) Columbus College of Art and Design, Columbus, Ohio

Awards

Grant. The Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation, Quebec, Canada. Juried, 2010

Award. Christ Merit Award, National Society of Arts and Letters, Bloomington, Indiana, 2009

Allowance. Student Academic Appointee, (SAA), Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, 2007

Grant. The Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation, Quebec, Canada. Juried, 2007

Award. Oustanding Senior Award, Columbus College of Art and Design, Columbus, Ohio, 2007

Award. ILOVETREEFORT Award, Agora Spring 2007, Columbus, Ohio, 2007

Scholarship. The Paul and Erika Bourguignon Scholarship, Columbus College of Art and Design, Columbus, Ohio, 2006

Scholarship. The Roger Miles Berlin Memorial Scholarship, Columbus College of Art and Design, Columbus, Ohio, 2005

First Prize. Lowell Tolstedt Drawing Prize, Columbus College of Art and Design, Columbus, Ohio. Juried, 2005