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Armenia Applauds Hejinian Art Exhibit

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  • Armenia Applauds Hejinian Art Exhibit

    Armenia Applauds Hejinian Art Exhibit

    By Tom Vartabedian on November 29, 2014
    http://armenianweekly.com/2014/11/29/armenia-applauds-hejinian-art-exhibit/


    YEREVAN--Artist Daniel Varoujan Hejinian of Chelmsford, Mass., is not
    one to sit idle very long, not when his heritage is at stake.

    Armenia's First Lady Rita Sargsyan greets Hejinian at the Presidential
    Palace in Yerevan.

    Weeks after his annual billboard blitz throughout Greater Boston and
    watching the monument he designed dedicated in Lowell, off he went to
    Yerevan for a personal exhibit at the National Gallery of Armenia.

    Called "Peace of Art" (www.peaceofart.org), the exhibition was part of
    the 5th Armenia-Diaspora Conference organized by the Republic Ministry
    of Diaspora and dedicated to the 23rd anniversary of Armenian
    independence and to the Armenian Genocide Centennial in 2015.

    Some 2,000 guests piled into the National Gallery to view the artist's
    work, including Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan, Diaspora Minister
    Hranush Hakobyan, leaders and representatives of Diasporan Armenian
    organizations, public and political figures, as well as artists of
    every kind.

    According to Hejinian, it was a cultural infusion that left viewers
    with an indelible impression.

    "I'm truly grateful for having this opportunity to exhibit some of my
    best work in a country where my passion exists," said Hejinian. "The
    people here were most receptive. Everywhere I went, hospitality
    followed. The honor truly lies with all those who made this moment
    become a reality."

    Pieces of artwork 'From Genocide to Independence' representing
    Hejinian's exhibit that took place in Armenia this fall.

    For openers, Hejinian was welcomed to the Presidential Palace by First
    Lady Rita Sargsyan where he donated a three-paneled painting
    (triptych) titled, "From Genocide to Independence." Other
    contributions were made to the National Gallery, Ministry of Diaspora,
    and Ministry of Culture.

    Hejinian was presented the prestigious Arshile Gorky Medal by Hakobyan
    as a token of appreciation.

    Karen Aghamyan, president of the Union of Artists of Armenia, granted
    an honorary membership certificate to the artist.

    Artist Daniel Varoujan Hejinian is presented the Arshile Gorky Medal
    from Diasporan Minister Hranush Hakobyan.

    Hejinian's portrait later graced the cover of Elite Life Magazine
    published in Armenia, together with more photos and an extensive story
    inside.

    Three showrooms inside the gallery housed the exhibit, featuring 61
    works of art in all. The array included 40 graphic pieces and 21
    paintings, including 2 triptychs. Aside from the "Genocide to
    Independence" panel, there was another titled "Crime of the Century,"
    which Hejinian dedicated to the Centennial observance, along with
    other "Peace of Art" collectables from his romantic series.

    Hejinian was born to a family of Armenians who survived the Armenian
    Genocide of 1915 and took shelter in Syria. He heard stories of the
    brutal massacres as a child, and saw it repeatedly through the eyes of
    his parents.

    Since 1996, he has raised signs annually throughout Massachusetts
    commemorating the genocide, many times under duress and retaliation
    from Turkish naysayers. Despite the resistance, Hejinian has
    persevered with his billboard mission, funding the project out of his
    own pocket.

    Among the artwork exhibited was "Hands of a Mother," after which a
    design was sculptured from stone and placed at the foot of City Hall
    in Lowell, Mass.--the first such genocide memorial on government land
    in the United States.

    The compelling memorial was designed for the Armenian Genocide
    Monument Committee of Merrimack Valley, symbolizing the city's mill
    era and the immigrants who toiled there following the genocide.

    The design shows two hands weaving fabric above an Armenian cross
    (khatchkar), designed to represent the hopes and dreams of those who
    survived the atrocity and those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

    "Love for his homeland, family, nature, and heritage prevails in all
    of his artwork," said Hakobyan. "Just as the great writer Daniel
    Varoujan portrayed the sorrow of Armenians in his work, so has this
    artist with his brushstrokes. The two are mutually connected by their
    art form."

    Among those attending the ceremony in Armenia was Middlesex County
    Sheriff Peter Koutoujian, who served as honorary chairman of the
    Lowell memorial dedication. Koutoujian presented his opening remarks
    and expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Diaspora for the invitation
    to participate.

    The sheriff spoke proudly of his compatriot, lauding his artistic
    talents and the message they convey to the world about the crime
    perpetrated by the Ottoman Turks in the early 20th century.

    Art critic Shahen Khachatryan spoke about Hejinian's paintings and
    praised his unique style and high mastery of the medium.

    In the end, Hejinian expressed gratitude to the Ministry and to
    Hakobyan, in particular, for turning his dream of having a personal
    exhibition in the homeland into a reality. He also conveyed gratitude
    to his wife and daughter for encouraging him to organize the
    exhibition.

    All three showrooms in the National Gallery were agog with visitors.
    The first was dedicated to the 100th anniversary, and included pieces
    from Hejinian's "Peace of Art" collection that reflect human suffering
    of every magnitude.

    Hejinian's romantic works occupied a second exhibition room,
    expressing his love of life, women, and music, while a third gallery
    focused on independence, and included a striking image of doves flying
    in a peaceful sky while the Armenian Army is engaged in a glorious
    parade.

    "The most significant achievement of independence is the creation of
    the Armenian Army," Hejinian feels.

    The exhibition took place from Sept. 18 to Oct. 20, attracting
    everyone from casual townsfolk and students to high-ranking officials
    and dignitaries both near and afar.

    According to the artist Martiros, "Varoujan is a master of color and
    composition, flexible, diverse and honest with his interpretation.
    He's a brilliant representative of 21st-century art."

    "Peace of Art" is a non-profit organization founded by Hejinian in
    2003 that uses art as an educational tool to bring awareness to the
    universal human condition while promoting peaceful solutions to
    conflict.

    The artist dedicates his efforts to the peace keepers and peace
    achievers around the world, and those who had the courage to place
    themselves on the line for the betterment of humanity.

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