Discovering Armenia Through Sculpture

“We had an instant rapport, although I couldn’t speak Armenian and he couldn’t speak much English,” said Gasparian, who served as an assistant in classes, and held English-speaking workshops.

Soon Gasparian was at the university six days a week, sculpting under Baghdasaryan’s guidance and improving his technique.

“Sculpting opened up a whole new world for me,” said Gasparian, who also took art history courses.

Month after month kept passing by and Gasparian realized his four-month leave of absence was not enough time for him in Armenia.

“I didn’t want to leave Armenia until I found a new direction in my life,” said Gasparian. “Looking back, I know I didn’t have the spiritual fulfillment I do now through art.”

Gasparian continued working on his art, and said his technique opened up on his fourth sculpture: a man made entirely from twisted and shaped metal wire rising up from within a welded sphere. Today, most of his work relies on this medium, which he often combines with plaster to create expressionistic compositions based on the human form. One of his sculptures titled “Breaking Through” depicts a male figure trying to emerge from a tangled web of wire. It was shown at last year’s Armenian Students Association’s Artists Ball in New York.

Gasparian focused on creating a portfolio while in Armenia, and he was able to fulfill this goal by working on his art for seven months straight. While in Armenia, Gasparian not only improved his art, but also volunteered in the country, immersed himself in the Armenian culture and learned Armenian. Never having spoken a word before he left, Gasparian improved his Armenian language skills through Birthright Armenia’s language classes and his constant interaction with locals.

Gasparian and Baghdasaryan created a bond and the two remained in touch even after Gasparian returned to the US in February 2009. To this day, Baghdasaryan encourages and advises Gasparian with his artwork. When Gasparian found out that Baghdasaryan, who is in his mid-50s and has progressive diabetes, needed surgery and would be immobile for two months, he started fundraising to send money back to Armenia. Setting up an account and promoting it through the New York Armenian Students Association, Gasparian was able to raise funds to help contribute towards Baghdasaryan’s expenses.  

After returning to the States, Gasparian took on a job as a New York City construction project manager. Working from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., he has time during the day and at night to work on his sculptures.

Gasparian has participated in a collaborative art project titled “Gaza Rebirth: Artists in Solidarity,” two group shows with Armenian artists, and two juried exhibitions in the past year. He has also continued his involvement in the Armenian community in New York, as a member of the Social Planning Committee of the New York Armenian Students Association and a member of the Birthright Alumni Committee.

Currently, Gasparian is participating in a commemorative exhibition at the University of Rhode Island titled “The Armenian Genocide — 95 Years Later, In Remembrance.” The exhibit runs throughout the month of April and features 47 professional artists and over 100 works of school-age children. The exhibition event will take place on Saturday, April 17. For details, visit www.armeniangenocide95years.com.  

In between his busy schedule, Gasparian will be returning to Armenia this summer to visit friends and to continue working on his art.

“I’m always looking for a way to give back to Armenia,” said Gasparian. “Because it was there that I was transformed into a different person.”

For more information about Gasparian and his artwork, visit christophergasparian.com.