HISTORICAL
DEVELOPMENT OF ARMENIAN MODERN ART
THE PAINTING OF DIASPORA
Photo: Immortality,
Hovsep Pushman
Following the human tragedy of Western Armenia, from 1920
onward, the Armenian Diaspora concept became a firm universal reality.
Armenian artists who lived and worked in various eastern and western countries
were destined to become a vital part of the art, science and humanities of
their adopted countries. The first generation of Diasporan Armenian artists
were unable to forget the traditions, customs, history, folklore, art and
psychology of their native land. Nostalgia, struggles, fear, painful memories,
losses of possessions, homes, lands, families members and beloved one were
deeply rooted in their hearts and their minds… and most certainly in their
art, their canvases, their sculpture, their music, their theater, even in the
very daily way of life. In most cases the intensity of the national sentiments
nourished with pride, religious fervor and determination survived and
developed parallel to the greatness of their talent. Soon, many Diasporan
artists in the United States and France will make their mark on world art
history and attain artistic immortality.European
art of painting strongly and vividly influenced the pioneers of Armnian
contemporary art. Almost, all the most famous Armenian painters studied art in
Europe and developed their talents and craft on the hands on European masters,
and particularly French, Italian and Russian master painters. Among those
distinguished Armenian painters were: Aivazovsky, Ervand Kochard, Tigran Polat,
Gevork Bashinjaghyan, Assadour Bedzdiguian, Carzou, Vardkes Sureniantz, Jansem,
Edgar Chahine, Yeghishe Tatevosyan, Zakar Zakarian, Sarkiss Khatachadourian,
Charles Atamian, Stepan Aghadjanyan, Panos Terlemezian, Hovsep Pushman, Gevork
Bashinjahian, Charles Atamian, Vartan Mahokian, Panos Terlemezyan and hundreds
of other notable artists. Many
Armenian artists have studied in Paris at the prestigious Julian Academy, in
private ateliers and studios on the hands of illustrious French artists. At
that time in France, the esthetic concepts of art in painting and sculpture
were based on “realism”. The most illustrious academy of art in Europe was
Academie Julian, the corner stone of “Realism” cemented by Gustave Coubert
who deeply influenced French, European and Armenian artists.
Thanks
to Coubert’s influence, many young Armenian artists turned into pioneers of
the neo-realism and neo- romanticism school and methods of art in painting,
sculpture and graphics, such as:
Edgar Chahine, Vartkes Surenyants, Sarkiss
Katchadourian, Egishe Tadevosyan, Raphael Shishimanian, Yervant Demirdjian,
Essaian, Tigrane Essaian, Jean Alhazhian, Armina Babaian, Arshak Fetvadjian,
Melkon Kebadjian, Armenag Missirian (Armiss), Puzant Topalian, Zareh
Moustafian, Gabriel Harentz, Richard Jeranian, Papaz, Berdj Kosdanian,
Ardavatz Berberian, Arshag, Kmayak Hagobian, S. Agadjanian, Grigor
Sharbabchian and P. Terlemezian. This list should include Armenian-Lebanese
artists such as: Boghos Guiragossian, Armenag Missirian, A. Berlian, V.
Barsoumian, H. Torossian, J. Kazandjian, A. Alecian, Arshag and T. Daderian.
In Italy, Charles Atamian excelled in depicting themes of seashores, little
children and breezes. Gregorio Sciltian became the pillar of neo-realism and
known for his flowers, fishes, vegetables and plants paintings. In Romania,
Aram Gharibian, Bardough Vardanian and Hrant Avakian became a household name.
In Russia, influenced by the “peredizhnink” concept, magnificent Armenian
artists made their mark on the landscape of “realism”, to name a few:
Vrtanes
Akhikian, Garabet Chirakhian, Davit Okroian, Khachatur Ter Minasian, Harutioun
Shamshinian and
Gevork Gabriellian.
The
Armenian art community in Egypt included famous Armenian artists such as:
Onnig Avedissian, Achod Zorian, Gregoire Meguerdichian, Puzant Godjamanian
and Simon Samsonian. In other parts of the world, a considerable number of
Diasporan Armenian artists prosper, to name a few: Narutiun Minassian, Sarguis
Achdjian, Arsene Tatosian, Assadour Baharian, Onning Atamian and Edman
Ayvazian.
THE TIFLIS GROUP
Armenian
artists in Tiflis were active, and thanks to their commitment, the first
Armenian Art Association was formed in 1915 in Tiflis followed in 1923, by the
Association of Armenian Painters in Erevan and two art schools in Yerevan and
Leninaka. The leader of the Tiflis group was Alexander Bazhbeul-Melikian, a
very unique artist living and metamorphosing in his own universe. His
inspirational source were the woman figure, her body, her beauty and her
“curves”. He is unique, for he invented a special world for his worshiped
goddesses and gracious heroines who freely flirted on flamboyant and radiant
backgrounds. Among the most illustrious Tiflis group artists were: The great
Martiros Sarayan, Hakobjian Gharibjanian, Panos Terlemezian, Hagop Kodjoyan,
Yervant Demirdjian, Sarkis Khatchadourian,
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