On 17-21 May, at the initiative of repatriate painter Vartkes Khakhamian and with the support of the RA Ministry of Diaspora, the Armenian Center for Contemporary Experimental Art opened the 2^nd Art-Expo-2016 international exhibition, which has gathered 40 artists from 18 countries around the world. My interlocutor was Vladimir Grigoryan from the Kazakh city of Alma Ata. He is participating in the exhibition and believes such exhibitions serve as the best platform for Diaspora Armenian artists to communicate, establish contacts and, in some way, exchange experiences.

“Most Diaspora Armenian artists don’t know each other and might never see each other or communicate with each other, if such events are not organized, and in Armenia, for that matter. I welcome Khakhamian’s initiative and express my gratitude to him and the Ministry of Diaspora of the Republic of Armenia.

I have come from Kazakhstan. I was born in Baku, but my roots trace back to Nagorno-Karabakh. I am participating in the exhibition for the first time and have presented four paintings, including three paintings by my wife, painter Elena Grigoryan and four photo collages by my daughter. My family and I are participating in this international exhibition. The opening was held on May 17 and was attended by notable artists and mass media representatives. I attach great importance to the presence of the Minister of Diaspora and the inspiring speech that she gave during the opening ceremony. It is a pain to see that local artists and Diaspora Armenian artists don’t know each other well. I think this exhibition will help strengthen that relationship. We will exchange addresses, booklets, business cards and phone numbers. My wife and I often travel to different countries and participate in exhibitions, particularly in Europe, but this is the first time we are participating in an exhibition in Armenia, and I am very happy for and proud of that. It is very symbolic. In August 2016, my family and I will be participating in the exhibition of ceramic works to be held in Italy. The topic of my works is man, nature and the Creator of these marvels. I have many works, but they are scattered across the globe. They are either sold, or part of private collections. I have also made donations. I love all my works, but I set aside my latest work. Over the past few years, I have been working with a totally different method. I come up with an idea that I bear within me, just like a pregnant woman bears her child for months. I continue to think about an idea that I still haven’t turned into a reality. I talk to myself about that, think about it and then transfer it to the canvas. Thus, I don’t make sketches like I used to. I immediately transfer the image to the canvas. God willing, I will open our family exhibition in Armenia. It is nice to be in Yerevan, the colors of which are the colors of a rainbow, as well as walk on Northern Avenue. Armenians serve as the best type of people who always create, love their families and are conventional. I praise Armenians and their talent. I love the art of Martiros Saryan and Minas Avetisyan and traditional Armenian architecture mixed with the new. Out of the world greats, I have loved the works of Rembrandt since my younger years. The works of Mark Shagal, Matis and Picasso are close to my heart. Overall, I love the masterpieces of painters and sculptors of the early period of the Renaissance.

…I have many dreams, one of which is to speak in pure and literate Armenian. I only know the dialect of Nagorno-Karabakh that my grandparents would speak at home. I also have wishes for Armenians, Armenia and Artsakh. Armenians should live and persist. We Armenians don’t have the right to be in despair or become weak. Armenians are the priceless diamond on the most precious ring in the world.

Karine Avagyan