Mission of Hakhtanak Shahumyan: Artists must do what God grants to them

2010-04-09 18:15:00

ArmInfo. A personal exhibition of artist Hakhtanak Shahumyan set off
in Yerevan Mar 31.

Even though Shahumyan is widely known abroad and has had as many as 32
personal exhibitions so far, this is just his 2nd exhibition in
Armenia. This time he has presented 115 works: painting, graphic art,
sculpture.

"To present one’s works to one’s own people is a highly responsible
thing. In the 1970s-1980s people living in Armenia were real
connoisseurs. They respected artists. Today, they respect rich men.
Nobody is interested in serious art any more. What people want is
entertainment," says Shahumyan. However, he believes that things will
improve. "Spiritual values are eternal. As regards artists, they have
their own mission: they must do what God grants to them. They must be
more active in communicating with people and must hold more serious
and interesting exhibitions – and the results will not take long,"
says Shahumyan.

The exhibition will last till Apr 11.