Gagik Avetisyan’s legacy as a basement to the activation process of Sino-Armenian cultural exchanges
Gagik Avetisyan, a distinguished Armenian artist, theorist, and artisan (1957-2021) and a member of the Artists’ Union of Armenia left an indelible mark in fostering cultural exchange between China and Armenia. His pivotal role in bridging the artistic communities of these two nations was recognized in 2016 when he was bestowed with the prestigious Grigor Narekatsi medal, the highest honor in the cultural sphere of the Republic of Armenia.
In the early 2010s, Avetisyan was instrumental in co-founding the “Armenian Palette” art festival, a groundbreaking initiative that united Armenian and foreign artists, with a particular emphasis on fostering collaboration with esteemed Chinese artists. This festival served as a launchpad for joint artistic endeavors, including the creation of captivating plein-air landscape paintings of Armenia and evocative portraits of Armenians, which were showcased in collective exhibitions.
Relocating to China in 2015, Avetisyan continued to be a driving force in organizing exhibitions and workshops featuring Armenian artists in China while also facilitating reciprocal exhibitions for Chinese artists in Armenia. Through these initiatives, Avetisyan not only showcased the rich artistic heritage of both nations but also encouraged meaningful cultural exchange and dialogue.
Beyond his role as a cultural ambassador, Avetisyan’s mastery in post-impressionistic oil paintings has captivated audiences, with his works portraying the allegorical representation of friendship between Armenians and Chinese, and celebrating the diverse narratives of the Chinese people, seamlessly integrating Chinese subject matter into contemporary Armenian art.
Avetisyan’s artistic contributions have garnered international acclaim, with his works being featured in numerous solo and group exhibitions across Europe and Asia, including prominent cities such as St. Petersburg, Budapest, Paris, Lyon, Vilnius, Riga, Tallinn, Svyatogorsk, Harbin, Nanjing, and Beijing. His paintings have found a place in esteemed private collections, further solidifying his enduring legacy in the global art community.
