Velislav Georgiev is a Bulgarian-born public artist and designer. He spoke to Esther Lauaki about an output that includes more than 30 public works, signs, gates, shelters, even sidewalk art.
What is your connection to Moorabool?
I came to Australia 36 years ago from Bulgaria. My partner and I bought land in Ballan in 2003 and built our home not long after. Before that we lived in Melbourne. We are both artists and were looking to live, work and trade out of the same place. In Melbourne, you can either live and trade, or live and work out of one place, but you can’t really do all three.
How did you become an artist?
In 1989 I lost my job as a public servant in the social security department of the government, and I had to work. I started using my skills as a wood carver and started creating commissioned artwork. I started wood carving in Bulgaria after I’d broken my leg, just whittling away at bits of wood … I needed something to do.
What type of art do you create?
I only do commissioned work because it solves the storage dilemma when you trade from home. I create art by order. It’s a creative process. People have a vague idea, and we talk to them and they talk to us, and then we can create something perfect for the space. We respond to the ambient conditions.
Your work includes more than 30 public sculptures and artworks. Do you have a favourite?
It’s hard to say that I have a favourite because each sculpture is different. I do think the one that was commissioned for outside Moorabool council offices [at Darley], called Fearless, was the largest and also the most significant one that I’ve worked on; I worked on it with another local artist, Anu Patel. It was inspired by the Avenue of Honour in Bacchus Marsh.
What do you love most about Ballan?
Ballan is a closeknit community. It’s a charming area that’s free of pollution and noise. They’re great people who live here, and there is some amazing infrastructure in Ballan town centre.
