Stories from the Dark

Cryptid Art Space is delighted to invite you to

Stories from the Dark
An exhibition by Mateya Arkova inspired by the tales of the Brothers Grimm

Idea: Yavor Boyanov

21 September – 3 October 2026

“Quietly we part the leaves and gently move aside the branches, so as not to disturb the people, and to steal a glimpse of the curious nature, shyly nestled in itself and fragrant with leaves, grass, and the just-fallen rain.” With these words, the Brothers Grimm lead us along the winding, steep forest path of their legends and tales, opening before us rocks, lakes, ruins, trees, mysterious plants. Beyond the fog of these sometimes dark landscapes rise angry giants, brave princesses, mischievous spirits, tyrannical kings, mermaids, ghostly hunters, shy dwarfs and even, at times, white nightmares.

“Stories from the Dark” is an exhibition inspired by the lesser-known German legends of the Brothers Grimm and by a selection of their fairy tales. As the authors themselves note, legends are sometimes the very soil from which their tales grow. The watercolor illustrations will show us characters who face evil with caution and fear, but also with joy in goodness and in the magic of the unexplained.

We will turn Cryptid Art Space into a “living book”, where you will be able to see watercolor illustrations by Mateya Arkova and read excerpts from the legends, myths and fairy tales that inspired them.

And as the Brothers Grimm write in their book German Legends: “At birth, a person receives in their homeland a good angel, who accompanies them in the guise of a trusted companion… This benevolent company is the inexhaustible treasure of fairy tales, legends and history, which are bound together…” This exhibition may become just such a companion for you in the darkly magical world of Frau Holle and Faithful Eckart, The Rat Catcher, Roostrap and Kreetpfuhl, The Seven Ravens…

Mateya Svetlozarova Arkova is a Bulgarian children's book illustrator based in Sofia, with more than 13 years of experience, working as an illustrator since 2012. She works in both traditional and digital techniques, though she prefers watercolor for its mystery and airiness; her style is marked by dynamic linework and images with an almost surreal, dreamlike presence.

She has illustrated more than 30 books for publishers such as Emas, Orange Books, Marmot, Trud and Robertino. She is best known for her long-standing collaboration with American author Carol P. Roman on the Oh Susannah series, as well as for the Bulgarian editions of The Adventures of Pinocchio and Bulgarian Folk Tales.

In 2020, her book The Hatred Seller was nominated for Best Children's Book in the White Ravens catalogue, and in 2024 Green Froggies won the Best Literature for Kids award from the Bulgarian publishing society. She draws inspiration from nature and travel, and volunteers in an initiative for children living in poverty through reading and creative work.

Opening: 21 September, 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Cryptid Art Space (Sofia, 1 Dimitar Traykovich St.)