ART HISTORY, DIASPORA  AND GENOCIDE

AFTER WORLD WAR TWO: INDIVIDUALISM VERSUS TRADITIONALISM

Photos from L to R: #1. Genocide by Jean Kazandjian, 1981. #2. Three Figures by Anatoli Papian.

Short after world war two, a galaxy of outstanding Armenian artists emerged in the universe  of contemporary Armenian art. Galleries directors and museums curators rushed to exhibit their work. Many of them became celebrities overnight. Among the most successful Armenian artists of the beginning of the post world war two were:  Rouben Najarian, Hagop Khoubesserian, Arto Tchakmakjian, Manuel Tolegian, Leone Minassian, Shart, Jirayr Zortahya, Richard Jeranian, Dikran Daderian, Paul Giragossian (He became the leader of the modern art movement in Lebanon), Amaduni, Assadour Bezdikian, Jean Kazandjian, Vahe Barsumian, Alexander Birejiklian, Zadik Zadikian, Herman Vahramian and Henrig Bedrossian. Between 1950 and 1975, a new wave of Armenian artists who tried to free their muse from traditional schools and the Russian influence, came to life. Some of those artists have studied on the hands of famous Russian artists in Moscow, Odessa, Kiev and other parts of the former Soviet Union. While, many others were either self-taught and or learned on the hands of Armenian artists who have never painted under the influence of the Russian, European or traditional Armenian artists.

Painting: Still life by Hrant Gulbenk.

Another group of leading Armenian artists broke completely their ties with traditionalism. This group abolished the old dogmatic art to establish the notion of “independent art” based upon individual exploration and new approaches to traditional and contemporary arts. Among the most famous ones were: F. Manukian, N. Avetisian, A. Avoyan,  M. Hovannesian, R. Hovnatanian, A. Sarkisian, K. Nigarian, A. Papikian,  A. Grigorian, O. Petrosian, A. Gevorkian, S. Petrosian, A. Petrosian, H. Tadevosian,  E. Kharazian, A. Parsamian and G. Khachatrian. Another wave of leading Armenian artists was added to the roster of innovative painters emphasizing on “individualism” in art. Among the most visible ones were: Zulum Grigorian, Sargis Mouradian,  Rouben Adalian,  Edljard Artzrunian, Hovaness Sharambekian, Levon Kojoyan, Alexander Grigorian, Nikhoghos Kotanjian, Souren Sarafian, Vruyr Galstian, Mkrtich Sedrakian, Grigor Aghasian and Anatoli Papian.