National Art Gallery hosts Richard Jeranyan's exhibition

An exhibition featuring the paintings of renowned French-Armenian artist Richard (Khachatur) Jeranyan opened at the National Art Gallery on Friday.

Congratulating the artist on his 90th jubilee, National Art Gallery Director Paravon Mirzoyan said some of his canvases and graphic works had been donated to the gallery.

Introducing Jeranyan's painting style, art critic Armen Gasparyan said his canvases enable people to perceive music. In that connection, he referred to a series of Jeranyan's paintings portrayying composers Hayden, Stravinski, Bethoven and Komitas.

"If you pay attention to his art, it may seem eclectic at first sight. And that means he is all the time searching for something," he said.

"Mr Jeranyan is among the unique Armenians who has always been in Armenia without ever living there," said Minister of Culture hasmik Poghosyan. "He has tried to extend the borders of Armenia beyond its actual territory, attempting in the meantime to do the countrary - bring the world into Armenia.

The minister highly appreciated the artist's donation to Armenia and said the country will have many occasions to take pride in them.

Jeranyan thanked the guests, inviting them to watch his canvases.

Richard Jeranyan was born in the historical western Armenian town of Sebastia. He received his academic education in Marseilles, France. His paintings were last exhibited in Armenia in 1964.

His current exhibition titled "Return to Homeland" will run through June 3.

The opening ceremony was also attended by Chairman of the National Assembly Hovik Abrahamyan and other officials.