Lebanese-Armenian artist honored with Arshile Gorky medal

Lebanese-Armenia sculptor Zaven Ktshyan was awarded with the Arshil Gorky medal at the opening of his personal exhibition in Yerevan’s History Museum on Thursday.

The event was organized as part of the Diaspora Ministry’s initiative, Days of Lebanese-Armenian Community in Armenia.
 

The ceremony was attended by Yerevan Deputy Mayor Vano Vardanyan, Armenian Ambassador to Lebanon Ashot Kocharyan, as well as celebrated sculptors, architects and officials.

Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakoyan delivered a welcoming speech, declaring the exhibition open.

“Zaven Khtshyan’s name is very well known in the Middle East, France and Armenian communities but this is the first time he is in Armenia, showcasing his personal works,” she said.

Honoring the artist with the award, the minister praised his talent, as well as his efforts to spread the Armenian painting and drawing art in the Diaspora and promoting the Armenia-Diaspora cooperation.

Zaven Ktshyan was born in Beirut, Lebanon in 1932. In 1949-192 he studied at the Lebanese Academy of Fine Arts. In 1958, he graduated from the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-arts (ENSB-A) (National School of Fine Arts) in Paris, France.

Zaven Khtshyan is also author of a new architecture study program.

The 1976 edition of the L’art et le monde moderne encyclopedia by the Larousse publishers contains an entry on Zaven Khtshyan as one of the world’s most renowned artists.

His prominent works include the first Armenian Genocide Memorial in Lebanon, the busts of Armenian national hero, General Garegin Nzhdeh, and prominent Lebanese-Armenian intellectual, Gibran Khalil Gibran.
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