The Journal
August 7, 2009 Friday

ART INSPIRED BY ARMENIAN EARTHQUAKE

A NORTH East artist who taught victims of an earthquake is exhibiting
alongside one of his pupils at York Minster.

Mick Oxley, who lives at Craster, Northumberland, travelled to Armenia
in South West Asia in 2006, witnessing the devastation caused by an
earthquake more than two decades ago.

That three-week journey took him to the small town of Spitak, one of
the hardest hit areas, to lead art workshops. It was at these he met
and mentored Arsen Asatryan, who lives in the countryside community
and survived the earthquake.

Arsen, who was paralysed in the disaster, was housebound for seven
years due to his injuries and, like Mick, relies on a wheelchair.

Now the two have launched an exhibition together on the earthquake, at
York Minster.

An Armenian Journey is now open to the public, with Arsen travelling
over especially for the occasion.

Corbridge-born Mick, a former PE teacher, who has lived in Craster for
the past 15 years, said: "During my stay in Armenia, I was able to
sample a unique spirit emitted by Arsen and other young artists.

"I learned about a people who were dignified, generous and brave in
the face of adversity and hardship." The exhibition runs until
September 7.