Armenia Applauds Hejinian Art Exhibit
By Tom Vartabedian on November 29, 2014
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” (), 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.