9 vertical panels depicting my response to the Armenian Genocide
Acrylic on 12"x36" stretched canvas
I cannot explain the meaning of these panels without explaining the Armenian Genocide. The Armenian Genocide, also known as the Armenian Holocaust, Great Calamity, or the Armenian Massacre, refers to the forced mass evacuation and murdering of over a million Armenians during the government of the Young Turks from 1915-1918. Today, the Republic if Turkey rejects the notion that the even constituted genocide, and instead claims that the deaths among Armenians were a result of inter-ethnic strife, disease, and famine during the turmoil of World War 1.
However, most Armenian, Russian, Western, and increasing number of Turkish scholars believe that it was indeed a genocide, or state sponsored ethnic cleansing and mass extermination. The sheer scale of the death toll is evidence for a systematic, organized plan to eliminate the Armenians. The event is also said to be the second most studied case of genocide, and often draws comparison with the Holocaust. To date, only 21 countries have officially recognized it as genocide.
These paintings are my intellectual and emotional reactions toward the Armenian Genocide. I used a pallet of rich dark colors, red, blue, green, golden yellow, and purple. These colors reflect those used in Armenian artwork found in many churches and homes.
The two end figures are depictions of pain and distress, the only discernible images to the eye. The incorporation of body language and emotion from these two figures gives them a human-like quality, while still keeping them abstract.
