Art Exhibit of Internationally Acclaimed Armenian Artist Lidya Tchakerian at Zorayan Museum

BURBANK — The members of the Zorayan Museum Committee of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church are pleased to announce an art exhibit “Parce Que La Vi Est,” (Because Life is Beautiful), by internationally acclaimed Armenian artist Lidya Tchakerian. The official opening will be held on Tuesday, October 11, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese, reports that this exhibition of the paintings of Lidya Tchakerian is in keeping with the mission of the Zorayan Museum to organize exhibitions to promote understanding and appreciation of Armenian ethnic, religious and cultural diversity by exposing the beauty of Armenian heritage, and preserving and sharing the experiences with people of the world.

The Zorayan Museum Committee states that they are proud to feature the paintings of Lidya Tchakerian. Born in Lebanon, Lidya Tchakerian has gained international recognition for her large-scale and multi-layer full color works that explore the conflicts of existence, history of war and culture, conscious and subconscious feelings of humanity; creating contemporary new expressionism art since 1986, Since 1988, her work has appeared in solo Exhibitions and more than 50 group Exhibitions in the United States, Europe, Lebanon and China.

Tchakerian completed her Master of Fine Art Degree at the University of Alba (Academic Libanese des Beaux-Arts) in 1988, Beirut, Lebanon. In 1989 she became Professor of Fine Arts, Department of Interior Design, Architect of Fine Arts and taught in several universities and colleges; ALBA, Toros Roslin Academy and Armenian Technical College until 2002, at which time she moved to the United States. Tchakerian is the founder and owner of Lidya’s Fine Art Classes, Santa Clarita, CA, from 2004 until now. Her work is held in many public and private collections throughout the United States, Europe, Lebanon and China.

Tchakerian has won International and National Awards in recognition of her outstanding works of art. In 2013 and 2009 she received the Art-Majeur International Silver Award in Montpelier, France.

In 1999 she received the “Certificate of Gratitude and Appreciation” by the Minister of Culture and Higher Education, Mohammed Yousef Bayddoun, in Tripoli, Lebanon. Tchakerian again received the Appreciation Certificate for Great Performance in Arts Plastic by El-Mina Municipality, Mayor of El-Mina, Abdel Kader Alamaddine, Tripoli, Lebanon.

Tchakerian’s biography and art works are published in many newspapers and magazines. Also, her biography was featured in the Encycopedia of prominent Armenian women, edited by Zari Balayan, and was released with the sponsorship of the Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian and with the blessing of His Holiness Catholicos Karekin 11.

In Tchakerian’s own words: “Being an Armenian Lebanese artist living in the United States is the main influence of my art today. Being a descendant of the Armenian genocide and inheriting the violent graphic stories and pictures of the victims made me feel the pain of others and the ability to express the feelings of being artistically. Living in a beautiful country like Lebanon with a diverse culture allowed me to be open to accepting new cultures….Living in different situations and cultures made me experimental in my art, like using different forms and textures sometimes attract and other times repel….My subjects are about raw conscious an d subconscious emotions and the feelings of humanity…Experiencing the best of beauty and culture, mixed with the bitterness of pain and misery gives my work mysterious character, where beauty and pain blend in harmony. Art itself is a manifestation of history, identity, and time.”

The exhibition and reception is open to the public and admission is free. For further information contact the Zorayan Musem at the Western Diocese Office (818) 558-7474.