Monday, 20 August 2007
The Armenian fine arts have suffered a heavy loss. People's Artist of Armenia, RA State prize winner, professor, honorable citizen of Yerevan Edward Isabekyan died at the age of 93.
Edward Isabekyan was born in 1914 in Igdir town of Surmali District of Yerevan Province. After moving to Yerevan in 1918, he studied at the Yerevan technical school of Arts and Industry (currently School of Fine Arts after Terlemezyan). In 1935 he went to continue his studies in the Tbilisi Academy of Fine Arts. During the Great Patriotic War, together with Nairi Zaryan and Soghomon Tarontsi, he went to the front to collect materials about the 89th Armenian division and create paintings.
Edward Isabekyan was one of the founders of the Yerevan State Applied Arts Institute where he used to work since 1945 up till the end of his life, supervising over masterful painting. For more than 60 years of pedagogical work, he created school and scientific technique of training, brought up and trained at least three generations of gifted critics.
Along with teaching, Edward Isabekyan was engaged in social activities: he was repeatedly elected member of Yerevan town council, Secretary of the Union of Artists of Armenia. From 1967 through to 1987, he was Director of Armenia's State (currently National) Fine Arts Gallery. During his tenure of office, he contributed greatly to the replenishment of the stock of Gallery and paid special attention to the restoration and preservation of the patrimonial values of the past. He was behind the launching of the Gyumri branch of the National Gallery.
The splendid talent of Isabekyan - the critic manifested itself in both sizeable picturesque composite paintings and remarkable articles devoted to the problems of art, public performances and memoirs.
The art of Edward Isabekyan was based on humanism and deep patriotism, with the sources of inspiration taking root from the Armenian spirit as expressed in the image of Sasuntzi David, Tsovinar, David - Bek, Saiat-Nova, Aksel Bakunts, Tamantsineri and other national figures.
His delightful paintings, created with big skill and Armenian thinking, have a universal dimension.
His invaluable contribution to fine arts is similarly evidenced by the fact that he became the founder of the composite genre in the Republic Armenia and had several followers. He left a deep trace in the Armenian fine arts.
The greatly valuable art of Isabekyan was the focus of the attention of critics leading to numerous studies and articles. The National Fine Arts Gallery of Armenia allocated a special hall for permanent exposition of the works of the Artist.
For merits before the country and people, Edward Isabekyan received numerous prizes and awards. In 2004, the Catholicos of All Armenians awarded him the Order of Sacred Sahak - Sacred Mesrop. He was honorable citizen of Yerevan. Edward Isabekyan was honorable chairman of Igdir union of fellow-countrymen.
During his lifetime, the town hall of Yerevan launched a permanent exposition of Edward Isabekyan's works.
The bright memory of the remarkable person, great art critic and citizen will remain in the hearts of numerous supporters of his art for ever.
Government Commission established
In connection with the passing away of
People's Artist of Armenia Edward Isabekyan
