About Me.

Sinisha S. Kashawelski (b. 1969, Kumanovo, North Macedonia) is a contemporary painter whose work explores the intersection of realism, symbolism, and surrealism. Educated at the College of Applied Arts and the Faculty of Fine Arts in Skopje, he has established an international reputation for his meticulously crafted figurative paintings, characterized by technical precision, symbolic depth, and psychological intensity.

Drawing inspiration from Macedonian cultural heritage, Byzantine iconography, and the traditions of the Old Masters, Kashawelski creates enigmatic visual narratives that reflect on history, ideology, memory, and the human condition. His paintings often feature solitary female figures surrounded by symbolic objects, inviting viewers into a world where reality and imagination coexist in a delicate balance.

Kashawelski is a member of the National Artists Association of Macedonia (DLUM), the Société des Artistes Français, the Société du Salon d’Automne (Paris), the Académie Arts-Sciences-Lettres de Paris, and Mondial Art Academia. Throughout his career, he has presented numerous solo and group exhibitions in North Macedonia and internationally.

His work has received significant international recognition, including Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medals from the Salon des Artistes Français in Paris, the Gold Medal at the Salon National des Beaux-Arts at the Louvre, the Prix ADAGP, the Palm Art Award (Germany), the Marchionni Prize (Italy), the Art Expo Venice Award, the Prix Taylor (Paris), the ARC Salon Purchase Award (USA), the Artelibre Award at ModPortrait (Barcelona), and numerous distinctions from Mondial Art Academia, among many others.

Among his major commissions are paintings created for the Museum of the Macedonian Struggle in Skopje and the ceiling painting of the National Theatre in Skopje.

Kashawelski currently lives and works between Mougins, France, and Kumanovo, North Macedonia. His works are held in private and public collections worldwide and continue to be exhibited internationally.

Artistic approach

-My art is predominantly based around surrealism, finely knitted with

motives which come out from the reach Macedonian tradition. My works unite
elements structured of realism of the old masters coupled with surrealistic elements
structured around our past, present and future. Most of my works are done in
oil on canvas, however I do endeavour to use my skills in producing icons on
wood done in the very best traditional Byzantine style; something that is
still present and well preserved in my country. I also do mix media works
staging both traditionalism and surrealism.

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Sinisha S. KASHAWELSKI

Born in 1969 in Kumanovo, Macedonia.

Finished a College of Applied Arts in Skopje, Macedonia, where he also graduated at the Faculty of Fine Arts
A member of DLUM (National Artists Association of Macedonia)
A member of ,, Societe des Artistes Francais"
A member of ,, SOCIÉTÉ DU SALON D’AUTOMNE -Paris "
A member of Académie des Arts-Sciences-Lettres de PARIS
A member of "MONDIAL ART ACADEMIA"
An author of many individual projects and exhibitions in Macedonia and abroad

- Awards:

1998 - "Konstantin Mazev‚‚ painting small format KIC Скопје

2012 - "Medaille de bronze ‚‚ Salon des Artistes Francais /Grand Palais /Paris

2013 - "Medaille d`argent,, Salon des Artistes Francais /Grand Palais /Paris

2014 - "Medaille d`or,, Salon des Artistes Francais /Grand Palais /Paris

2015 - "Medaille d`or,, Salon National des Beaux Arts / Louvre / Paris

2015 - "Dimitar Kondovski" DLUM (National Artist Association of Macedonia)

2016 - ''Prix ADAGP '' Le Salon des Beaux Arts / Louvre/ Paris

2016 - 1st PRIZE WINNER of PALM ART AWARD / Germany

2017 - 1st Absolute Prize in the Paintings section / Marchionni Prize / Italy

2017 - Kitz Award 2017 / Austria

2018 - TOP 10 Artist of the Year Award from Circle Foundation /France

2018 - Winner of Art Expo Venice / Italy

2018 - Golden Medal of Merit and Contribution to Art in 2018 by French 'Société Académique' Arts-Sciences-Lettres/ France

2019 - Golden Medal in category "surrealism and symbolism" awarded by the Mondial Art Academia

2019 - Golden Medal in "all categories" awarded by the Mondial Art Academia

2019 - "ISMAIL LULANI' International Award , Second Prize winner VIZart International Biennial "Self -Portrait " Tirana/Albania

2020 - Winner in Oil Medium (Artist Category) , Jumbish World Art Competition 5.0 - Portrait theme / India

2020 - Grand Winner (Artist Category), Jumbish World Art Competition 5.0 - Portrait theme / India

2020 - 2ND PLACE-TIE AMERICAN ART AWARDS 2020 /CATEGORY- POLITICAL COMMENTARY / USA

2020 - Catalogue Prize - Malamegi Lab16 - art prize / Italy

2023 - Grand Prix du Conseil Departamental des Vosges. du 37e Salon de Peinture et sculpture de Vittel / France

2023 - Prix Taylor /Le Salon des Beaux Arts /Réfectoire des Cordeliers / PARIS / septembre 2023

2023 - Top Figurative Art Masters Year end 2023 TOP ART AWARDS / USA

2024 - Golden Medal in category "CONTEMPORARY FIGURATION CATEGORY" awarded by the Mondial Art Academia

2024 - 2nd Place Award / The CFA Artist of the Year Award 2023-2024

2024 - GRAND PRIZE / BEST PAINTER OF THE YEAR at the Best Art Awards 2023 competition

2024 - ,,Premio Special Artelibre Award" on ModPortrait MEAM · Museu Europeu d’Art Modern / Barcelona

2024 - The Special Prize of the Scientific Committee of the MAGMMA Museum "for the international dimension reached in the last years", – Italy

2024 - Médaille d’Argent / Le Salon des Beaux Arts 2024 / Le Salon d’Été à l’Orangerie du Sénat, / Paris / France

2024 - Prix ODI Song Dong / Le Salon des Beaux Arts 2024 / Le Salon d’Été à l’Orangerie du Sénat / Paris / France

2025 - ARC Salon Purchase Award / Art Renewal Center’s 17th International Salon / USA

2025 - DLUB Award for Painting at the Annual Exhibition in Bitola, 2025

2025 - SILVER AWARD - TARTGET Awards 2025/ Ateneo de Madrid / Spain

2026 - Honorable Mention, Imaginative Realism 18th Art Renewal Center (ARC) Salon / / USA

2026- OSTEN ARTIST OF THE YEAR 2025 / Skopje / N.Macedonia

2026 - Honorary Mention in the 13th Edition of the International Painting and Drawing Competition in the Portrait Category – ModPortrait 2025.

2026 - Honorable Mention in the fourth edition of the International FiKVA Award for Painters 2026./Antwerp - Belgium

Commissioned to do a number of paintings for Museum of the Macedonian Struggle-Skopje , Macedonia
Commissioned to paint the ceiling of the National Theatre in Skopje Macedonia

- Lives and works as an independent artist in Saint-Paul-de-Vence - France and Kumanovo - Macedonia

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Education

1983-1987

Secondary School of Applied Arts "Lazar Lichenoski" , Skopje, North Macedonia

Completed secondary art education in the Department of Sculpture and was recognized as Student of the Generation. The program provided comprehensive training in drawing, sculpture, design, and visual arts, establishing the technical foundation and artistic dedication that would shape his future career as a professional artist.

1987-1992

Faculty of Fine Arts, Skopje, North Macedonia.

Graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts in Skopje, specializing in Sculpture. During his studies, he developed a strong understanding of form, composition, spatial relationships, and classical artistic principles, which continue to influence his painting practice. His academic training further strengthened his technical discipline and conceptual approach to figurative art.