EXHIBITION DEDICATED TO 100th ANNIVERSARY OF GARZU OPENS IN YEREVAN

Noyan Tapan
Dec 20 2007

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 20, NOYAN TAPAN. An exhibition of works of French
Armenian painter Garzu (Garnik Zulumian) opened on December 20 at the
National Gallery of Armenia. Garzu’s paintings and illustrations in
the books "A Farewll to Arms" of Hemingway, "Scrap Book" of Camus,
"France" by Maurois are presented at the exhibition dedicated to
painter’s 100th anniversary.

According to Nune Tedevosian, the Head of the Engraving Department of
the National Gallery of Armenia, stage painting and book illustrations
are very important in Garzu’s art, therefore it was decided to
present all designs kept in the Gallery on the occasion of his 100th
anniversary. And in total 305 works by Garzu are kept at the National
Gallery of Armenia, which is considered as one of the richest owners
of painter’s art heritage in the whole world.

"Garzu has his unique place in the modern French and Armenian
painting. His art is exclusive, immediately recognizable with its
way of thinking and style typical of Garzu. The thought and emotions
dissipate in the mysterious world of Garzu’s line and color, and being
closely connected, complete one another," N. Tadevosian said. In her
words, Garzu’s creative life has never been easy, and at first he was
cruelly disdained by critics. That is why the painter in his works
raises urgent universal problems, which are always actual.

Though Garzu created in France, he has always considered himself an
Armenian painter. "With my essence, with georgraphy I am an Armenian
painter, I am a piece of my people, which has had much sufferings,
a small sparkling of its talent. I should feel proud if my art is
loved and appreciated," the painter said.