"CANVASES OF EDWARD ISABEKIAN HAVE WORLDWIDE SONOROUSNESS"
Noyan Tapan
Aug 21, 2007
YEREVAN, AUGUST 21, NOYAN TAPAN. A governmental commission has been
created in connection with the death of Armenian people’s painter
Edward Isabekian with Hovik Abrahamian, the Deputy Prime Minister of
the Republic of Armenia, at the head. This governmental commission
spread a message on August 20, which runs as follows:
"The Armenian fine arts suffered a great loss: Armenian people’s
painter Edward Isabekian, a laurate of the RA state prize, a professor,
a citizen of honor of Yerevan, died at the age of 93. Edward Isabekian
was born in 1914 in the city of Igdir in the provice of Surmalu. After
moving to Yerevan with his family in 1918 he studied and graduated
from the Art-Industrial Technical College of Yerevan (at present Art
Academy after Terlemezian), then he continued his education in the
Art Academy of Tbilisi since 1935.
In the years of the Great Patriotic War he was at the front with Nairi
Zarian and Soghomon Taronts for the prupose of gathering materials
concerning the 89th Armenian division and creating art works.
Edward Isabekian was one of the founders of the Yerevan Art State
Institute, where he worked since 1945 and headed an art studio until
he died. During over 60 years of teaching he created his own school
and the scientific methodology of teaching, educated and brought up
at least three generations of talented artists.
In parallel with the lecturer’s work, Edward Isabekian was also
involved in public work: he was elected MP of the city council,
secretary of the Armenian painter’s union for many times.
He was the director of the State (currently, National) Picture-Gallery
of Armenia, where he made great efforts in the direction of enriching
funds and, particularly, saving national values of the past from being
lost. The branch of the Gallery in Gyumri was opened on his initiative.
The great talent of artist Isabekian has got different manifestations
both in art composition canvases and in noteworthy articles, public
speeches and memoirs dedicated to the main issues of art. Philantropy
and deep patriotism are the basis of the art of Edward Isabekian,
and the Armenian ideas, which are expressed in the images of Sasuntsi
David, Tsovinar, David Bek, Sayat-Nova, Aksel Bakunts, Tamantses and
other national great personalities in his works serve as sources of
inspiration for his art. His splendid canvases created with great
mastery and Armenian thinking also enjoy worldwide sonorousness. One
more evidence of his considerable investment in fine arts is the
fact that he was the founder of the thematic composition genre in
the Republic of Armenia, who was later followed by others. He has
left an indelible trace in the Armenian fine arts.
The highly valuable art of Isabekian has alsways been in the limelight
of artists. There are numerous researches, articles, and monographies
dedicated to him. The Armenian National Picture-Gallery has provided
a special hall for a permanent exhibition of the works of the artist.
Edward Isabekian received numerous awards and prizes , including the
"Saint Sahak – Saint Mesrop" order, for the noteworthy services done
in favor of his people and country during his merited life of many
years. He was also awarded with the title of a citizen of honor of
Yerevan. He was the Chairman of Honor of the "Igdir" compatriotic
union. The municipality of Yerevan made a decision to create a hall
for a permanent exhibition of the art works of Edward Isabekian during
his lifetime.
The memory of the fine person, the great artist and citizen will
always be bright in the hearts of the people and of all the admirers
of his light art.
The commission informs that the civil funeral of Edward Isabekian will
take place in Sayat-Nova 5 at 18:00 on August 21. The last farewell to
the painter will take place at the Aram Khachatrian concert hall of
the Opera and Ballet National Academic Theatre after Al. Spendiarian
between 12:30 and 14:00 on August 22, afterwards, the burial will be
held in the Komitas pantheon in Yerevan.