“Gojabashian: Blessed Hands of the Armenian Heritage” Art Exhibition

Hannah Paloutzian
Staff Writer

“Art symbolizes goodness,” said Yervant Gojabashian. “Painting, literature, and music awaken the beauty in the world, especially for the young generation and that brings about peace and love to the whole world.”

On Thursday, April 13, 2023, the Armenian Studies Program held an opening reception for Armenian artist Yervant Gojabashian’s exhibition, “Gojabashian: Blessed Hands of the Armenian Heritage,” which was being displayed in the Leon S. Peters Ellipse Gallery in the University Library. Students, faculty, and patrons attended the opening reception of Gojabashian’s exhibition, which was open to the public from April 10-30, 2023. The Armenian Studies Program and the Thomas A. Kooyumjian Family Foundation were co-sponsors of the exhibition.

Gojabashian was born in Aleppo, Syria, and his family later moved to Soviet Armenia. He began his career in art at a young age and graduated from the Yerevan Art and Theatre Institute in 1966. In 1981, Gojabashian moved to Montebello, California where he resides today. While living in Soviet Armenia, Gojabashian experienced discrimination from Soviet leaders who, at times, did not approve of his art, which often depicted the struggles of his Armenian ancestors.

One piece that stood out to many as they walked through the exhibition was titled “Toward the Desert,” and it told the tragic story of Gojabashian’s mother’s experience during the Genocide. Gojabashian’s description of the oil sketch stated that his mother was 6 years old at the time of the Genocide, and suffered a cut to her throat that left a scar after a young Turkish boy attempted to slit her throat, but ran away after seeing her begin to bleed.

Other inspiring pieces included sculptures that contained fragments of ancient Armenian artwork dating back to 400 A.D. Photos of Gojabashian’s beautifully detailed bas-relief located at the gate of Holy Etchmiadzin in Armenia was also displayed.

The exhibition was organized by Lucy Erysian, Mike Bashian, Prof. Barlow Der Mugrdechian, Hazel Antaramian, and Kristiana Bashian. Curators of the exhibition were Steve Ruppel and Chris Lopez. Special thanks to Interim Dean of Library Services, Dr. Bernadette Muscat, and Library staff members Delia Medrano, Barbara Windmiller, and Heather Parish.

Later in the evening, sponsors of the exhibit spoke on the importance of having Yervant Gojabashian’s work in the Library. As Prof. Barlow Der Mugrdechian and Lucy Erysian stated, Fresno State students are able to come into the gallery and view pieces of art that are connected to Armenian culture and history during the month of April, when the Armenian Genocide is commemorated. These pieces tell a story of strong individuals who overcame adversity and persevered through hardship. As a patron of the opening of the exhibition, it was inspiring to see and hear how looking at these pieces of art moved people, as they conversed with one another about their interpretation of the artwork.

“In art, you don’t become an artist, you are born an artist,” said organizer Lucy Erysian. “You find beauty in everything and turn everything beautiful. One of my favorite writers Dostoyevsky said ‘Art will save the world.’ …I believe that it is through artists like Gojabashian, that the world will be saved.”

Gojabashian went on to explain how much the pieces of art mean to him, and expressed his gratitude to those who attended the reception and were able to experience his artwork.