Sarkis Hamalbashian: Armenian District Exhibition Opens at CCA

April 17, 2015 Sarkis Hamalbashian: Armenian District exhibition was opened at the Cafesjian Center for the Arts' (CCA) Sasuntsi David Garden Gallery on April 16. 

The Cafesjian Center for the Arts announces the opening of the exhibition Sarkis Hamalbashian: Armenian District, which marks an important initiative for the Cafesjain Center for the Arts by presenting the work of a major representative of the independent period in Armenian art.

Sarkis Hamalbashian, one of the pioneers of contemporary art in Armenia, is one of the Armenian artists whose works are part of the Gerard L. Cafesjian Collection. The exhibition presents a selection of paintings from the artist’s recent oeuvre and includes the painting We Found the Messiah from the Gerard L. Cafesjian Collection. A series of drawings portraying prototypes of famous characters in the artist’s canvases are also featured.

The exhibition, Sarkis Hamalbashian: Armenian District, sheds light on the distinctive style and philosophy of the artist, who believes in carrying the experience of the past and the aspiration for continuity; a connecting link between the past and the future, passing the cultural achievements of humanity to future generations.

“I am confident that with respect to the Centenary of the Armenian Genocide, the exhibition Sarkis Hamalbashian: Armenian District will contribute to the recognition of Armenian contemporary art in a global context, encouraging the dialogue with the international arts community.” - said the Acting Executive Director of CCA Vahagn Marabyan. 

The exhibition is accompanied by a fully illustrated catalog, featuring a newly written essay by art critic Vardan Jaloyan. 

The exhibition dates are April 16 to June 19, 2015. Admission will be free from April 17 to April 19.


Sarkis Hamalbashian was born in Gumri in 1956. After graduating from the Panos Terlemezian Fine Art College in Yerevan, Hamalbashian became one of the active members of the contemporary art in Armenia. Hamalbashian’s work has been shown in Armenia and internationally as part of individual exhibitions in the National Gallery of Armenia (2006); Melina Mercury Hall, Nicosia, Cyprus (2002); Die Galerie Bodenschatz, Basel, Switzerland (2001); Armenian Society for Cultural Cooperation with Foreign Countries, Yerevan, Armenia (1997); Galerie La Hune, Paris, France (1996); New Academy Gallery, London, UK (1992). Among group exhibitions his works have been presented in Armenia, UK, USA, Germany, Portugal, Finland, Russia, Italy, Turkey and other countries worldwide. 
In 2008 Sarkis Hamalbashian received the title of the Honored Artist of the Republic of Armenia.