I am ready to arrange interesting artists’ exhibition in New York – US-Armenian artist Tigran Tsitoghtsyan is in Yerevan (photo set)

For many people abroad, pronouncing New York-based artist Tigran Tsitoghtsyan’s surname is not really easy; instead, any person can recall his supernatural gouache paints that need a close inspection to be differentiated from photos.

One of the best masters of super-real artworks, whose exceptional talent brought him a worldwide recognition, Tigran is now enjoying his summer rest in Yerevan. Tert.am Life has had the exceptional opportunity to talk to the artist.

Before starting our conversation, speak a little bit about Tigran’s past and present.

Tigran’s parents noticed his innate talent when he was only three.  At age 10, he had his first individual exhibition that showcased 103 gouache paints; they were later exhibited also in the United States, Spain, Russia and Japan. 

From 1993 until 1999, Tigran studied at the Yerevan State Academy of Fine Arts; he then continued his education at École Cantonale d'Art du Valais, Switzerland. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in 2002 and completed Master’s program in Arts in Public Sphere (MAPS) in 2005. He settled in New York in 2009.

Speaking to Tert.am  Life, Tigran admitted that his father’s friend, Henrik Igityan, also had his contribution to developing his deeper affection for art.

Let us start from the very beginning. When did you start painting? What style interested you most?

My mother was a musician, so art always dominated our house. I have grown up in an atmosphere of art critics and intellectuals. Watercolor, gouache … I was five when my parents gave me gouache as a present. From that day on, painting became for me something like meditation. There was no room in our yard to dry my paintings. My family was anxious that I never played in yard, as though I didn’t want anything else apart from painting. Seeing my paintings one day, my father’s friend, Henrik Igityan, expressed his desire to arrange an exhibition to showcase them. My mother said we have to wait a little more as I was still too young. And I was as young as 10 when I had my first exhibition showcasing 103 artworks.  

 What is modern art? How do you understand and perceive it?

It is really difficult to describe it in a nutshell. Many great artists have their own hypotheses. Anything touched by an artist is a piece of art. Art has broadened its boundaries, losing in a way its real meaning. A person with mainstream thinking cannot be an artist. His thinking must be different from others. To think in a way that no one does is really very difficult, because there are thousands of people, including artists, who have already thought differently. For me, art should encompass also craft. Without knowing craft, one cannot be a real artist. I find an interesting idea for myself and develop and invent a corresponding image to later create a series of artworks in the same style.

Last summer you showcased the series “Mirrors” at the Cafesjian Center for the Arts. What reactions did it attract?

I didn’t expect such a warm reception. It inspired me with hope that modern art still has potential to grow in Armenia. The Cafesjian Center is the most comfortable place for art. Their approach was really fantastic.

What about a new exhibition of more pieces in Yerevan?

There are very few places in Yerevan to exhibit items. I think that’s first of all a question for organizers of exhibition halls.  

Do you frequently visit Yerevan?

Yes, my parents live here. So I am here every summer by all means. I come here to charge myself with positive energy.

What exhibition halls do you collaborate with? Is there a museum of dreams?

My goal is to avoid collaborating with galleries. That’s a place pursuing commercial interests, whereas I am never on friendly terms with the idea of selling my art. My dream is to showcase my art in places where there isn’t any sale at all. I may afford that in the couple of years to come.

What about your everyday life in New York?

It’s wonderful. I often travel with my son. In New York too, my life is very interesting, as I have really good friends. We, the artists, like communicating a lot.

 
What other occupation do you have apart from art?

None (smiling).

Do you have a desire to live in Armenia?

My permanent residence is in New York, but I travel a lot [visiting such countries as] Switzerland, France and Armenia. Wherever I am, I feel at home. It doesn’t really matter where I live; what matters is living.

Your advice to beginners.

The primary thing is love for art. One has to be dedicated to it and be curious, as well as have thirst for information. It is really important to be aware of everything that happened before you were an artist. I communicate with many painters through the internet; they send me scores of pictures asking what I think about a specific piece. Now the internet does give us that opportunity: we can develop, learn a lot of things and get acquainted with people. One can visit world museums online to see what’s going on the art market around the world. I am a very overt personality; I often receive messages on Facebook, and whenever I am in Yerevan, it is always my pleasure to invite [people] to a meeting to talk. I am really very fond of communicating with people. It is interesting for me. I am always ready to meet with artists who are beginners, and talk to them and give them my advice … so they are welcome to write to me. If there is a team of artists with interesting paintings, I am ready to help them have an exhibition in New York.