By Monique Svazlian
Special to the Mirror-Spectator
GLENDALE, Calif. – A Dreamer’s World, the new art exhibit by Armenian artist “Endza” Gevorg Babakhanyan, opened at the Roslin Art Gallery in Glendale on October 25. This was the first stop on a four-city tour of the exhibit which will also show in Pasadena, Calif. (November 2-4), Las Vegas, Nevada (November 10-11) and Scottsdale, Arizona (November 16-18) in the coming weeks.
“Endza” Gevorg Babakhanyan was born in 1968 in Armenia and graduated from the Fine Arts University in Yerevan, Armenia. During 1992-1995, he studied at the Armenian Theological Seminary in Jerusalem and was ordained a priest in 1995, after which he served as a priest in Haifa and Tel Aviv between 2000 and 2005. In 2003, he graduated from the Jerusalem Art Studio and in 2008 graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Venice, Italy. In 2010, he became the art director of the Machanents Theater, Cross of Armenian Unity, NGO in Echmiadzin, Armenia. He has held numerous group and personal exhibitions in Armenia, Belarus, Canada, France, Germany, Jordan, Israel, Italy, Malta, Palestine, Russia, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates and the United States.
The exhibit featured various types of work from the artist, including abstract pieces from various time periods of his life, art inspired by his time in Venice, colorful and vibrant paintings of animals and nature, as well as various scenes of Artsakh where the artist currently works and resides. The evening was hosted by Ararat Foundation with part of the proceeds from sales going toward the renovation and construction of the New Shahumyan Children & Youth Cultural Center in Karvajar, Artsakh.
“This exhibit is significant because it is in support of a very important project which will aid in the development of the Karvajar region located between Armenia and Kharabakh, a strategic region connecting Armenia to the rest of Artsakh. I have intentionally reduced the prices of my paintings for this exhibit to help raise the funds necessary,” said Mr. Babakhanyan.
