Nikola Toplev was born on June 25, 1965, in Skopje. His creative talent revealed itself early: alongside his studies at a technical school for electrical engineering, he built marionettes in his spare time and taught himself to play the guitar. These passions soon became his way of life – as a street performer, he traveled across Europe, accompanying himself on the guitar and bringing his puppets to life. With imagination and craftsmanship, he captivated audiences on squares and streets all over the continent.
In 1990, he met Monika Ecker in Salzburg – his partner, muse, and later wife. They had two children together: Jasmina (\*1991) and Samuel (\*1996). Settling in Salzburg, Nikola first worked as a warehouseman, but his true passion remained art. He began painting – intensively, expressively, and in a style all his own – and soon started selling his works directly on Salzburg’s Residenzplatz.
In 2004, Nikola founded “Galerie 40” in Kaigasse 40 together with fellow artists. Before long, however, he began using the space mainly as a studio with an adjoining exhibition area for his own works. With paint, brush, and a keen eye, he created works that stood out for their emotional depth and vibrant use of color. gallery became a place of intense creativity – part workshop, part exhibition space, part meeting place. He also rented an additional shop next door at Kajetanerplatz 5, giving himself even more room for artistic expression.
Over the years, Toplev became a well-known figure in Salzburg’s art scene. His works found an enthusiastic audience not only locally but also internationally – with exhibitions in a renowned gallery in Chicago (USA) and in Aschaffenburg (Germany). His paintings impressed with their powerful colors, emotional depth, and often symbolic imagery.
Even before his serious illness, Nikola was actively supported in running the gallery by his wife, Monika Toplev, herself a painter. Following his cancer diagnosis in 2011, he eventually entrusted her with the full management of the gallery. Monika has since continued to lead it with great dedication, developing it into a vibrant place for art – and a living testament to Nikola’s vision.
Nikola Toplev passed away on November 14, 2013, at the age of only 48. His death left a deep void – not only for his family but also in Salzburg’s art community, which lost an unconventional, passionate, and authentic artist. Today, Galerie Toplev remains a space that honors his memory and artistic spirit – open, alive, and deeply human.
Monika Toplev, 2025