“THERE IS THE CONTINUITY OF LIFE IN MY CANVASES”

Azg/arm
11 Jan 05

Tigran Tatrian, an Armenian abstract painter from Paris, is hardly
known in Armenia. His pieces have been displayed in various
exhibitions since 1957. Tatrian was born in Beirut in 1929 and spent
his childhood in a small town of Zahle in Lebanon. In 1943 Tatrian
entered the Melgonian Educational Established in Nicosia, Cyprus, and
after 6 years of study returned home to teach in Zahle’s
school. Tatrian once met French artist Georges Sere at the French
embassy of Beirut with whom he later organized an exhibition of
“Syrian Children’s paintings”. Tatrian’s plans radically changed
after that day, and he left for Paris in 1953 where he attended
painting classes at the Academy of Fine Arts and finally entered Geits
Academy where he learnt about such contemporary artists as Tutujian,
Brian, Le Moal, Vieira de Silva and others. Tatrian opened his first
exhibition in Bom in 1958. Later on, in 1974, the French government
ordered Tatrian to paint a triptych for Paris which brought him
fame. In 1983 he became professor of Geits Academy and soon after was
entrusted to run the Academy that was renamed into Geits-Tatrian
Academy.

There is the influence of Eastern music in the pieces of Tigran
Tatrian. Subtle and intersecting lines that are peculiar to all the
canvases of the artist speak of the open construction of his pieces,
famous art critic Dora Valien described Tatrian’s art.

I met Tigran Tatrian during my recent visit to Beirut.

– How long it has been that you are painting?

– I began painting at the age of 20, and the Eastern rhythms
influenced my art. I depict life in its continuity.

– Are you going to display your canvases in Armenia?

– I’ve been to Armenia but not for exhibition. I am not going to
display my pieces as yet, there is no occasion, but if there is a
suggestion I’ll think it over.

– What will you say about the artists working in France?

– The artists of the last 5 years are less interested in the art of
the past and I think the new generation is getting on very quickly and
often creates new styles…

– Are there many Armenian artists in France?

– Yes, certainly there are, but they are spread out, have no unity,
this is an issue to ponder over.

By Marietta Makarian