 Missak
Terzian
Missak Terzian’s
work is a feast of color in which the viewer can find an abstract
aesthetic form and figurative details. His lyrical compositions
are in continuum of metamorphosis by constantly experimenting new
techniques and creating myriads of variations in acrylic and oil.
Mainly semi abstract figurative, he evolves around his favorite
subject: “The couple theme”.
Missak studied at the Guvder Art School in 1968 and graduated from
London College of Printing in 1971. He traveled to Los Angeles in
1989 where he worked and lived. He explored the American art of
the early 20th century and retains a feeling of an abstract expressionism
reflective of the school of Hoffman, Pollock, Frankenthaler, Gorky
and de Kooning.
“For me,
painting is a visual testament of the mind, body and spirit. Distortion
and exaggeration triggers a continuous search into an unknown abstraction,
it happens that I return to the semi abstraction simulating the
four seasons that are on a constant rendez-vous every year. It’s
a perpetual cycle” Missak explains.
In more
than 73 exhibitions, Missak’s work has been exhibited in Beirut,
Kuwait City, Dubai, Cairo, Montreal, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, New
York and Beijing.
Artist's
Statement
As an artist, my primal impulse to mark is to paint a visual testament
of the mind, body and spirit. A search for identity and meaning
embodying my urge to create in a figurative tradition. This compulsion
could be a result of frustration or my need to challenge the world
around me. Without certainty of what compels me to do so, I feel
strongly about communicating my feelings.
My work deals
with susceptibility, submission and fragility. It summons past emotions
and images, perhaps my feelings about women, relationships with
my mother, wife, children and other male and female individuals
that play a part in each painting. My work avoids this vulnerability
and surrenders to violation. My canvasses are surfaced with acrylics
and oils, graphite, collage, bonding agents, oil pastels and Lebanese
soil. With these materials, I unearth figurative images. Some violent
brushstrokes reveal my painting’s history and progress. I feel a
connection to the past and insist on expressing existence. Distortion
and exaggeration triggers in me a continuous search for the truth
and the unknown. The creative process of art makes me a part of
this search.
I believe that
art cannot be measured. There are no absolutes, no relations, no
biases and no cultures. For me, art is about empowerment. Art takes
time, commitment, failure and revisions, wakes up the imagination
and stimulates new resolution.
Biography
American Artist
- 1949, born in Lebanon to Armenian parents.
With an innate
and primal impulse to create, figurative artist Missak Terzian is
in timeless search for existentialism and is eager to record time
and occurrences.
Missak Terzian
exploits acrylics and oils, graphite, collage, bonding agents, oil
pastels and Lebanese soil. “With these materials, I unearth figurative
images,” Missak says.
Missak’s works
are in many private collections in Lebanon, in the Middle-East,
the United Arab Emirates, Europe, Canada and the United States.
Since 1984, Missak Terzian has participated in 73 exhibitions worldwide
- biennales, group shows, international art fairs, juried exhibitions,
including 13 solo shows.
His works are also displayed in a permanent collection at the Museum
of Bank Audi, Beirut Central District, Lebanon and the Armenian
Catholicossate Museum of Cilicia, Antelias, Lebanon.
ARTISTIC EDUCATION
1969 Graduated from Guvder Art School, Beirut, Lebanon
1971 Graduated from London College of Printing, London, United Kingdom
PRIZES
1967 1st Prize of Jury Paul Guiragossian, U.J.A.C., Bourj Hamoud,
Lebanon
1996 2nd Prize at the 2nd Egyptian Print Biennale, Cairo, Egypt
MEMBERSHIP
1989 Member of Los Angeles Art Association, Los Angeles, California,
U.S.A.
1997 Member the Sursock Museum, Beirut, Lebanon
2007 Member of the Contemporary Art Network, New York, U.S.A.
2008 Member the Lebanese Artists Association, Beirut, Lebanon
GALLERY REPRESENTATION
1987-1999 Galerie Epreuve d’Artiste, Beirut, Lebanon
1992-1993 Sherry Frumkin Gallery, Santa Monica, California, U.S.A.
2002-2007 Galerie Brönte, Beirut, Lebanon
2002 to present Galerie Rochane, Beirut, Lebanon
2007 to present Stephanie’s Fine Art Gallery, La Canãda,
California, U.S.A.
2007 to present Gloria Delson Gallery, Los Angeles, California,
U.S.A.
2007 to present Arts & Beyond, Sodeco, Beirut, Lebanon
2007 to present Galerie Janine Rubeiz, Beirut, Lebanon
2009 to present Noah’s Ark Gallery, Zalka, Lebanon
2009 to present Alwane Gallery, Saifi Village, Beirut, Lebanon
2009 to present Galerie Raja Sertin, Kfarhbab, Lebanon
73 exhibitions
worldwide, includes 13 solo shows
SOLO SHOWS
2008 Matossian Gallery (Here, There & Yonder) Haigazian Univ.Beirut,
Lebanon
2005 Galerie Surface Libre (Still and Still Life), Jal el Dib, Lebanon
2002 Galerie Rochane, Verdun, Beirut, Lebanon
1999 Galerie Épreuve d’Artiste, Beirut, Lebanon
1996 Galerie Épreuve d’Artiste, Beirut, Lebanon
1994 Galerie Épreuve d’Artiste, Beirut, Lebanon
1992 AGBU Art Gallery, Hamazkayin Cultural Society, Los Angeles,
Ca., U.S.A.
1992 Tekeyan Cultural Center, Pasadena, California, U.S.A.
1991 Sherry Frumkin Gallery (Two from Beirut) Santa Monica, California,U.S.A.
1988 Galerie Épreuve d’Artiste, Kaslik, Lebanon
1987 Galerie Épreuve d’Artiste, Kaslik, Lebanon
1986 Araradian Cultural Center, Jeitawi, Lebanon
1984 Galerie Chahine, Verdun and Kaslik, Lebanon
SELECTED GROUP
EXHIBITIONS
2009 12th Beijing International Art Exposition, Beijing, China
2009 Galerie Alice Mogabgab, Achrafieh, Lebanon
2009 Galerie Raja Sertin, Kfarhbab, Lebanon
2009 Tekeyan Cultural Ctr., Stephanie’s Fine Art Gallery, Pasadena,
Ca. U.S.A.
2009 Lebanese Artists Association, Beirut, Lebanon
2009 Salon d’Automne, Sursock Museum, Beirut, Lebanon
2008 Catholicossate of Cilicia Museum (Aztag Daily), Antelias, Lebanon
2008 Private Collection of Bank Audi, Jamhour Notre Dame, Lebanon
2008 Artexpo Las Vegas, Mandalay Bay Resort, Las Vegas, Nevada,
U.S.A.
2008 Contemporary Art Network, (Cancer) , New York, U.S.A
2008 Matossian Gallery, Haigazian Univ. Let The Earth Breathe, Beirut,
Lebanon
2008 Artexpo NewYork, Jacob Javits Convention Center, New York,
U.S.A.
2008 Salon d’Automne, Sursock Museum, Lebanon
2007 Salon d’Automne, Sursock Museum, Lebanon
2007 International Expo Art Montreal, Noah’s Ark Gallery, Canada
2007 Arts & Beyond, Mzaar Intercontinental, Faqra, Lebanon
2007 Arts & Beyond, Villa Moda, Kuwait.
2004 Salon d’Automne, Sursock Museum, Lebanon
2004 Le Royal Hotel, Dbayé, Lebanon
2004 Art Deco, Biel, Solidere, Beirut, Lebanon
2003 Art Deco, Biel, Solidere, Beirut, Lebanon
2003 Galerie Brönte, Mövenpick Hotel, Beirut, Lebanon
2002 Galerie Brönte, Al Bustan Rotana Hotel, Dubai, Emirates
2002 Simaa, Biel, Beirut, Lebanon
2002 Galerie Brönte, Place de l’Étoile, Beirut, Lebanon
2002 Galerie Brönte, Al Bustan Rotana Hotel, Dubai, Emirates
2002 Contemporary Art of Beirut, Expo Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
2002 Galerie Brönte, Mzaar Intercontinental, Faqra, Lebanon
2000 Green Art Gallery (Galerie Épreuve d’Artiste), Dubai,
Emirates
1999 Green Art Gallery (Galerie Épreuve d’Artiste), Dubai,
Emirates
1999 50 Years of Armenian Painting in Lebanon, Fabrica, Beirut,
Lebanon
1999 Artuel’99, Beirut Hall, Lebanon
1999 Fiad, Beirut Hall, Lebanon
1998 Salon d’Automne, Musée Sursock, Lebanon
1997 Noah’s Ark Gallery, Zalka, Lebanon
1997 Salon d’Automne, Musée Sursock, Lebanon
1996 2nd Egyptian International Print Biennale 1996, Cairo
1995 Salon d’Automne, Musée Sursock, Lebanon
1994 Salon d’Automne, Musée Sursock, Lebanon
1992 AGBU Art Gallery, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A
1992 Barakat Gallery, Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California,U.S.A.
1992 Hamazkayin Cultural Center, Fresno, California, U.S.A.
1992 Hamazkayin Cultural Society, Pasadena, California, U.S.A.
1991 Directors Guild of America, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.
1990 L.A. Art Association, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.
1988 Salon d’Automne, Musée Sursock, Lebanon
1988 Galerie le Prisme, Jal el Dib, Lebanon
1987 Salon d’Automne, Musée Sursock, Lebanon
1987 Galerie Alwane, Kaslik, Lebanon
1986 Galerie Bekhazi, Achrafieh, Lebanon
1986 Salon d’Automne, Musée Sursock, Lebanon
1986 Ballouné Park, Ballouné, Lebanon
1968 Jardins de l’Embassade de France, Beirut, Lebanon
1967 U.J.A.C. Bourj Hamoud, Lebanon
JURIED EXHIBITIONS
MUSEUMS &
PERMANENT COLLECTIONS
PRIVATE COLLECTIONS
Sursock Museum, Beirut, Lebanon
Catholicossate of Cilicia Museum, Antelias, Lebanon
Banque Audi Plaza, Beirut, Lebanon
Armenian Catholic
Catholicossate, Jeitawi, Lebanon
Lebanon, the United Arab Emirates, Europe, Canada and the United
States of America
MEDIA COVERAGE
"The Making
of Yeghernica" (2009/YouTube/9:06 minutes)
Numerous Television Interviews
Artworld (1992/Color/VHS/24 minutes) 34.95 AW16 Two from Beirut
Publications
Mondanités-Décoration,
June 2008, Nada Akl
Al-Anwar, February 2, 2008, Z. Hamoud
Prestige, February 2008, Claudine Hardane
Al-Nahar, January 28 2008
Al- Liwa’, January 26, 2008, Zouheir Ghanem
L’Orient-Le Jour, January 26, 2008, Maya Ghandour Hert
Massis, January 2008, T
Al-Balad, January 23, 2008, Christy Abou-Farah
Ararat, January 22, 2008, A
Al-Jarida, January 22, 2008, Rou’a Al Hojairy
Aztag, January 18, 2008, Anoush Tervantz
Prestige, December 2005, Claudine Hardane
Aztag, December 2005, Anoush Trvantz
La Revue du Liban, Novembre 2005, Sonia Nigolian
L’Orient-Le Jour, November 2005, Z.Z.
Al Balad, November 2005, Nermine Abou Khalil
L’Agenda Culturel, November 2005
Esquisse, July 2002, Sonia Nigolian
Magazine, February 2002, Micheline Abou Khater
Al-Nahar, February 2002, Laure Ghorayeb
Massis, 2002, Mimi Yozgatian
Prestige, April 2002, Roula Rached
La Revue du Liban, March 2002, Sonia Nigolian
L’Orient-LeJour, February and March 2002
Daily Star, February 2002, Tiare Rath
Al Dalil, 2001
Al Liwa’, April 1999, Zouheir Ghanem
Al Fifah El Arabi, April 1999, Omran Kaisi
Prestige, May 1996, 1999
L’Orient-LeJour, April 1999
Al-Nahar, April 1999, Laure Ghorayeb
L’Orient-LeJour, April 1999
Al-Nahar, April 1999, Laure Ghorayeb
Snob, September 1994
The Point, Arts Magazine (Al Nokta), Issue N.3, 1994
Al-Nahar, August 1994, Nazih Khater
Magazine, August 1994, M.N.
L’Orient-LeJour, August 1994, Karine Safa
Aim, March 1991, Neery Melkonian
Beirut Times, February 1991
Asbarez, February 1991
Nor Or, February 1991
Armenian Observer, February and March 1991
Artscene, 1991
Artweek, March 1991, Jodi Garnett
Los Angeles Times/Calendar, March 1991
L’Orient-LeJour, November 1988, May Makarem
L’Orient-LeJour, October 1987, Nabil Abou Dargham
Massis, December 1984
Magazine, December 1984
Al Mas’oul December 1984
Aztag, November 1984
Magazine, November 1984, Zeina Sawaya
SELECTED ARTICLE
Double perpetual
movement By
Joseph Tarrab, art critic
Solicited both
by the human body and oil painting, Missak Terzian gave himself
at first to stylized figuration with a cubistic slant. His natural
impetuosity, zest and bravura as an inborn colorist carried him
soon towards a vibrating lyricism of the brushstroke. Guided by
the body’s outline as organizing pattern, his brush assaults became
the true motif of his canvasses.
His favorite
subject, the double bodily scheme of the seated couple, spotted
oddly enough in the random criss-cross of black paint drippings
of a Jackson Pollock’s work, motivates, directs and manages in a
way the painter’s interventions, very few of them being concerned
with iconic representation. Often a certain time of observation
or even decipherment is required to detect and make out, amongst
what seems to be a chaotic tangle, the main features of the body,
the ‘strange attractors’ of the head, shoulders, breast, arms and
legs.
The surface
of the canvas is a field of multidirectional forces-colors. Seen
one by one or in restricted zones, they seem to be totally abstract,
scattered, incoherent and meaningless, were if not for the underlying
regulating scheme that magnetizes them, lending them convergence,
coherence and signification. The figuration results from a combination
of graphic and chromatic non figurative elements.
This description
applies mainly to Missak Terzian’s middle production period. The
earlier period offers a more straightforward reading of the couple
as an image of complementary duality, intimacy and tenderness but
also of stability and permanence, in striking contrast with the
frantic dynamism of the brushstrokes and the heated fauvism of the
color scheme.
In the subsequent
period, a triangular abyss tapering towards the center of the bottom
edge of the canvas opens up between the legs of the anonymous or
rather universal couple. After that, the couple tends to disappear
almost completely as a recognizable motif by turning into vertical
filiform strokes where torso, arms and buttocks are barely marked
by delicate inflexions of the brush with colors that have lost their
once expressionistic intensity to take on more understated tints
and shades.
The painter
does not need anymore to assert himself in the excess of an overflowing
expressive energy. A minimalist proceeding takes over, a murmur
instead of a scream, without affecting either the spontaneity or
the swiftness of execution.
Missak Terzian’s
paintings are constructed by deconstruction and deconstructed by
construction. To find their way inside them, the onlookers have
to identify with that double paradoxical perpetual movement, the
very same that continually does and undoes couples and human communities.
BOOK
To reveal his
25 years in painting, the artist shows in a book the different phases
of his work.
The 138 reproductions chosen for this retrospective represent his
successive works starting 1978. The book is a luxury edition of
128 pages, with a hard cover and a jacket. Published in November
2005, it is available in France and through the artist’s website.
Reference codes: ISBN 2-913330-35-5
EAN 9782913330351
►►
Some of the artist's artwork
Online Portfolio: missakterzian.com
Contact:
editorial@onefineart.com
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