“Discovering Kristin Saleri” Exhibit Opens at Madden Library Through May 31

Tadeh Issakhanian

Staff Writer

Fresno State’s Leon S. Peters Ellipse Gallery, located on the second floor of the Henry Madden Library, has been transformed into a retrospective exhibition of artwork by the pioneering 20th century Turkish-Armenian artist Kristin Saleri. Curated by Fresno natives Joyce Kierejczyk and Carol Tikijian, “Discovering Kristin Saleri” presents students and the community with a unique glimpse into Saleri’s life and work. The exhibition opened on Saturday, February 6, and will remain open during regular hours of the library through May 31.

Several members of the Saleri family attended the opening reception. Among them was Kristin Saleri’s son, Houston-based Dr. Nansen Saleri, who spoke of the promise he had made to his mother on her deathbed. ‘‘‘What will happen to my paintings after I die, will I be forgotten?’ my mother asked. ‘I will make sure that you will be as well-known as Van Gogh,’ was my response, hours before she passed away,’’ recalled Dr. Saleri. This promise was the origin of the “Discovering Kristin Saleri” project.

Born in Istanbul, Turkey in 1915, Saleri’s artistic talents were recognized at a young age. A child prodigy, Saleri received her initial training from Feyhaman Duran, one of the first Turkish artists to work in the Western style, and later studied at the Istanbul Academy of Fine Arts. Her talents would eventually take her to study in Germany, Italy, and France–the epicenter of the art world. As a mature artist, Saleri returned to Istanbul, where she remained for the rest of her life and produced over 3,000 pieces of art until her death in 2006.

As a female and Armenian artist Saleri was faced with many obstacles. She lived in an era dominated by men and was an ethnic minority in a period of social and ethnic strain in post World War II Turkey. Undeterred by these hurdles, however, “she transcended the challenges of being an Armenian woman living in Turkey to become an integral part of the modern art movement in Europe and Asia Minor,” reflected curator Carol Tikijian.

Highlighting the importance of bringing Kristin Saleri’s work to Fresno State, Peter McDonald, Dean of the Henry Madden Library, stated “The fact that Kristin Saleri was an Armenian child born in the first year of the Genocide, a woman, and above all, a powerful artist, speaks to the enduring spirit of Armenian culture in their Middle Eastern homeland…This year marks the first anniversary of the Fresno State Armenian Genocide Monument. It is therefore fitting that we look ahead to celebrate all that Armenian culture has done to enrich the history, arts, and industry of this great nation and world.”

The 72 pieces on display encapsulates several decades of Saleri’s work. The series of self-portraits on display depict Saleri’s progression from a young, promising artist to her days as a mature, established art figure. Many of the pieces demonstrate the strong influence of Saleri’s homeland and heritage in her work. Saleri’s work exhibits delicate artistic imagery that is at first hidden and then almost instantly reveals itself to the viewer. Many of her pieces are multilayered showing themselves as one thing from a particular perspective, but from a different view revealing themselves as another.

The exhibition truly showcases the artistic genius of one of the 20th century’s premier artists.