Saf-ART-i

The artwork that I chose this week is located in the Lyman Center on campus. This piece, created by Sarkis Hamalbashian, is on display to celebrate the inauguration of our new University President, Mary A. Papazian, Ph.D. to the position.  It is titled "Near East -- Encyclopedia of Armenia.” Created in 1997 and using an oil canvas medium it has come on display in the past few weeks here at school to mark the inauguration.

My personal opinion, it is very interesting. The painting has many subjects across the plane, and it draws the eye from the left where to colors are warm, to the lower right where the cooler colors prevail. I actually quite enjoyed the Asian influence in the style of painting and yet it still holds some traditional European styles as well. This blend shows the vast contrast of peoples and beliefs in the very volatile region between Asia and Europe. The painting to me represents the powder keg that Armenia has been in the past, and it goes into great depth to represent many aspects of the culture.

I believe that the meaning of the painting is perfectly stated in the title. It is simple yet it leaves much to the imagination and the set-up of the painting it is very similar to an old newspaper comic, furthering the storyline style of the painting.