Ivan Suvanjieff

Ivan Suvanjieff is GlogauAIR resident from January 2026 to March 2026. Q1

Ivan Suvanjieff is a painter based in Costa Brava, Spain. His latest Solo Exhibition, “Quanta Dada NYC”, launched in New York City in May 2025, and the book, “Quanta Dada: Ivan Suvanjieff’s Chaotic Symphony of Truth” was published in November. Suvanjieff’s passion for social activism and free expression is evident in his diverse body of work. His commitment spans across multiple mediums, from his days as the lead singer of two punk rock bands to his role as associate editor of CREEM magazine. His writing is featured in books and has been published in over 50 issues of “The New Censorship: Monthly Journal of the Next Savage State.” Suvanjieff also extends his influence into the world of film; his most recent film, “Shirin Ebadi: Until We Are Free,” was recently broadcast on BBC.

Meet the Artist

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Statement

Ivan Suvanjieff is a painter. He lives and paints on the Costa Brava, Spain. His latest Solo Exhibition, “Quanta Dada NYC”, launched in New York City in May 2025, and the book, “Quanta Dada: Ivan Suvanjieff’s Chaotic Symphony of Truth” was published in November. Suvanjieff’s passion for social activism and free expression is evident in his diverse body of work. This commitment spans across multiple mediums, from his days as the lead singer of punk rock bands The Ramrods and The 27 to his role as associate editor of CREEM magazine. His writing is featured in The Stooges: The Authorized Story and he published over 50 issues of The New Censorship: Monthly Journal of the Next Savage State. Suvanjieff also extends his influence into the world of film; his most recent film, “Shirin Ebadi: Until We Are Free”, was recently broadcast on BBC.

GlogauAIR Project

I created my artistic series, “Quanta Dada”, to express my disgust with what is happening in the world today. I am drawn to the Dada movement of 1916-1923, because it was a powerful reaction to World War I by artists who believed that war itself is craziness incarnate. It was an artistic jolt.

Dada artists embraced chaos and irrationality. They exhibited the absurd. My Quanta Dada series also embraces chaos, irrationality, and the absurd. The Dada response to life is to embrace the personal and passionate madness of it all, with the intensity of one’s personality transposed directly into a work of art.

Art goes straight to the soul. It can shake us out of our conformist stupor. The Quanta Dada series is my way of capturing the interplay of both the light and the dark, la danse de la mort, at this inflection point in human history.

CV

CORE ARTISTIC MOVEMENT: QUANTA DADA

Founder & Lead Artist (2020 – Present)

Philosophy: A revival of the 1916 Dada movement, “Quanta Dada” serves as a “focused meditation” and a visceral response to global greed, war, and spiritual emptiness.
Technique: Employs a unique “eyes closed” meditative tracing method to bypass the conscious mind, followed by layered acrylic compositions that balance vibrant Mediterranean light with dark, chaotic themes.

SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2025: Quanta Dada NYC, New York City, USA
2025: Quanta Dada Vancouver, Vancouver, Canada
2024: Quanta Dada London, London, UK
2024: Quanta Dada Athens, Athens, Greece
2022: Quanta Dada Barcelona, Art Nou Milleni Gallery, Spain
2021: Quanta Dada, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, France
1990s: Black & White Series, Mackey Gallery & Hassel Haeseler Gallery, Denver, CO

SELECTED AWARDS & DISTINCTIONS

Nobel Peace Prize Nominations: 17 consecutive nominations (2005–2021) by Nobel Laureates.
Man of Peace Award (2005): Awarded by Mikhail Gorbachev at the World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates.
TedxMaastricht: Presenter (2015)
Artistic Excellence:
- First Place, Abstract Zone, (2025).
- Masterful Mind Award, Circle Foundation for the Arts (2024).
- Talent Prize, 9th Abstract International Juried Art Competition (2023).
Social Innovation: Servant Leader Award & Harris Wofford Award (National Youth Leadership Council).

SELECTED FILMOGRAPHY (EXECUTIVE PRODUCER)

Director of the “Nobel Legacy Film Series,” documenting the lives of world peacemakers.

Shirin Ebadi: Until We Are Free (2022): Broadcast on BBC; winner of multiple “Best Feature Documentary” awards.
The Dalai Lama: Scientist (2019): Recipient of 40+ international awards, including Best Documentary at Cannes World Film Festival.
Oscar Arias: Without a Shot Fired (2017): Winner, London Independent Film Awards.
Adolfo Perez Esquivel: Rivers of Hope (2015): Best Film, World Humanitarian Awards.
Children of the Light (2014): Audience Award, Harlem International Film Festival.

NONPROFIT & HUMANITARIAN LEADERSHIP

The PeaceJam Foundation | Co-Founder Denver, Colorado

Architected a global youth education movement led by 14 Nobel Peace Laureates (including the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu).
Engaged over 1.2 million youth worldwide in 40+ countries.
Launched the “One Billion Acts of Peace” campaign, a global call to action recognized by the United Nations and the Social Innovation Summit.
Married to Dawn Gifford Engle (2000); co-founder of PeaceJam Foundation with global youth reach.

LITERARY & EDITORIAL CAREER

The New Censorship (Editor): Published over 50 issues of this monthly journal, featuring icons like Charles Bukowski, Anne Waldman, and Kathy Acker.
Creem Magazine (Associate Editor): Contributed to the “Only Rock ‘N’ Roll Magazine in America” during its peak era in Detroit.
Author: PeaceJam: A Billion Simple Acts of Peace (Penguin Press, 2008).
Biographical Features: Featured in Iggy and the Stooges: The Authorized Biography (2024) and The Stooges: The Authorized Illustrated Story (2009).

MUSIC & EARLY ROOTS

The Ramrods / The 27: Lead vocalist for these seminal Detroit punk rock bands.
The “Black & White Period” (1988–2000): A twelve-year technical immersion focused on mastering form and contrast before transitioning into the color-saturated works of his current Spanish residency.

EDUCATION & TEACHING

Naropa University (1994): Special presentation for “Beats and Other Rebel Angels: A Tribute to Allen Ginsberg,” Boulder, CO.
Global Presentations: Featured speaker at the United Nations Social Innovation Summit (NYC) and TedX (The Netherlands).

SELECTED COLLECTIONS