Martiros manoukian biography of albert einstein
Introduction
The Constellation Collection
By Martiros Manoukian
“I was born an artist. God gives each of us something at birth, and that’s it. I don’t believe we ever become something… a person doesn’t become an artist, he is simply born with that gift.”
M. Martiros
Martiros extraordinary abilities as an artist became evident in his early childhood, but his paintings were exhibited only after his 11th birthday. As a child he was absorbed with classical painting. He loved to wander about galleries and museums, gazing at pictures, and contemplating. Albums of great artists because his everyday books. Works of Grand Masters were teaching, educating, sparking even more enthusiasm; and by the same token, causing an irresistible urge for competition within his anxious soul. Competition would bring victory to the outrageous youth who had launched into the endless sea of art. That victory could eventually bring him the right to be called the best artist of his time. “The Great Masters have been my teachers.” Recites Martiros. “Often I turn to their works. I am amazed by their technique and stunned by their ability to resolve tasks. I admire how they represent the feeling and the basis for great art. I have many artists of choice. I can hardly separate one from the bouquet: the ab-sence of a single flower would be a great loss. I would like to have Girodet’slight, Ingre’s line, Picasso’s courage and Chagall’s colors.”
“I need to go up to the mountains…down to the ocean. Look at the color of nature. Nature is my palette. Nature is my reality. Nature is my daydream. Nature is my teacher.”
M. Martiros
Martiros’ first public appearance as an artist took place in 1972 in Yerevan, during an exhibition organized by the Artists’ Association of USSR. His extraordinary talent, however, allowed him to become a member of the very influential Union of Soviet Artists at a young age. His membership allowed him to earn little money and maintain a simple lifestyle. It was no secret that to be successful within the system, one had to either have party ties, wealth, or influential family connections. Martiros had none of these, which made life difficult for him. From 1974 to 1986 Martiros participated in several expositions under the patronage of the Artists’ Union. The geography of the expositions was wide: Yerevan and Moscow in 1974-1976, 1981, 1983, 1985 and 1986: the ancient Russian town Kostroma, Suzdal, Ivanovo in 1977, 1979, 1980 and 1984: Kiev in 1980 and Leningrad in 1983.
“My style is life and I like life very much. My motif is beauty; the serenade and music are my life motif. I enjoy mixing media because art is freedom, my feelings, my victory… I do not actually know what I feel when I paint; I just paint my mood, a feeling that a camera’s eye cannot catch – some special, subtle angle that perhaps others would not see.”
M. Martiros