Armen Daneghyan

Interview with artist Armen Daneghyan —

1. Who are you and what do you do?
I am a visual artist, based in Yerevan, Armenia. For over 40 years in art, I have created a new art direction, called Modern Miniature Art. It is a mix of Medieval Miniature Art traditions, enriched by Modern elements and themes. I took part in group exhibitions, as well as had various solo exhibitions around the world. You can find further information about my art at www.daneghyanart.com.

“Eternal Armenia”

2. Why art?
When I was still a child, my parents discovered my love of art. With a pencil in my hand, I was drawing on the walls of our apartment, by so “damaging” the newly renovated house, haha. Later at school years, I started to go for art painting classes. When I grew up, I understood that art is mine and I am – arts.

“Horoscope Cancer”

“Horoscope Aries”

3. What is your earliest memory of wanting to be an artist?
There were albums of famous artists in our apartment, which I liked to see when I was 3-4 years old. Looking through one of the albums, I stopped at one page where I saw the artwork of famous Medieval Armenian miniature artist – Toros Roslin. It felt like the artist was talking to me from the pages of the book and attracting me with his art’s bright colors and complicated elements. From that moment on, I became interested in Medieval Miniature Art and was taking the album everywhere with me!

“Storm”

4. What are your favorite subject(s) and media(s)?
I work with a variety of mediums: oil on canvas, tempera, gouache, acrylic, watercolor on paper and wood. The subjects of my artworks are quite different. To name a few: Religious, National, Patriotic, Armenian history, European art, European music, Philosophy, Satire, Horoscope Signs, and many more.

“Alphabet Araratian”

5. How do you work and approach your subject?
Art is both a hobby and a business for me. I have many artworks which will never be sold by me. They are priceless to me. I start painting early in the morning every day, and this goes on till the evening. I prefer working in daylight, and I don’t use lamps or artificial lights.

“Acrobats”

6. What are your favorite art work(s), artist(s)?
I really like the art of Albrecht Dürer. It inspires me a lot with its small details and the deep meaning. I am a fan of the mix between abstractism and surrealism. Also, great examples of eternal art for me are masterpieces of Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, El Greco, Botticelli, and Armenian medieval miniature artists, in particular Toros Roslin.

“Horoscope Gemini”

7. What are the best responses you have had to your work?
Very often, I am told that my art is unique, very detailed and profoundly meaningful.

“Tango”

8. What do you like about your work?
In my art, I really value the detailed technique, the colors and most importantly, the meaning. I believe that even abstract art must have a profound meaning, that will be able to convey the feelings, emotions and ideas of the artist to the audience.

“Adam and Eve”

9. What advice would you give to other artists?
My advice to other artists would be the following: each artist should have his unique style, which will help the art lover to identify the artist by just watching the artwork. Another advice would be not to copy others and while creating the artwork not to think whether it would be easily sold or not. It is important to listen to the feedback and advice of art critics and art lovers and to be able to use that feedback in the art process, of course, if those don’t contradict his principles.

“Flamenco Dance”

10. Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years?
In the future, I see myself in the same art world where I am today. Probably, that world would change a bit in 5-10 years, and, as a result, maybe some parts of my art would change as well. In general, I don’t see myself somewhere out of the art world and I really feel good while having this thought.

Armen Daneghyan

LINKS —

 
Website –  https://daneghyanart.com/
Facebook –  https://www.facebook.com/armendaneghyan
Instagram –  https://www.instagram.com/daneghyanart
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/armen-daneghyan-8761a6185
Youtube –  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Az-LgVJ_mzU

About the Artist

Armen Daneghyan is a visual artist and the founder of the Modern Miniature art branch.

The artist was born in 1967, Yerevan, Armenia. In 1984-1986 he studied at the Miniature department of the Arts College. In 1990-1993 Armen studied at the Academic Arts University (CAAU).

Daneghyan created a new branch in Visual Art and named it Modern Miniature. Here Daneghyan demonstrates not only professional skills and mastership but also rich knowledge of religion, history, philosophy, satire and art. Throughout the previous 30 years, Daneghyan worked with different mediums: wood, paper, canvas.

The artist tries to represent modern issues with the help of Miniature language and rules. For Daneghyan, it is really important to mix traditional and modern styles. The artist has created several series, which are devoted to faith, patriotism, philosophy, etc.

He is regularly invited to different countries where he represents his art to new audiences during solo exhibitions and group art shows.