Biography

 

Dr. Haroutune Armenian is President Emeritus of the American University of Armenia, where he served as President for 14 years. He is Professor Emeritus of Epidemiology at Johns Hopkins University and Professor in Residence at the University of California, Los Angeles. He has also served as Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the American University of Beirut.

 

Dr. Armenian began watercolor painting in Beirut, Lebanon in 1976, during a time when the country was facing an increasingly violent civil war. He has stated that, “The most fulfilling and peaceful was the time of expression through colors and images.”

He continued to carry his box of watercolors with him through the years, capturing quiet moments in the United States, Armenia and a number of destinations all over the world.

 

"In most situations, I paint what I see in colors and forms. I put those together and then it’s that instant that makes the decision. It’s an instant of creativity. It’s the place, it’s yourself, it’s the mood — everything has to work within that hour or two” stated Dr. Armenian.

 

Dr. Armenian did his fifth solo exhibition of watercolor paintings in October 2014 at the Akian Gallery of the American University of Armenia in Yerevan. Previous solo shows were held at UCLA, Los Angeles (2012), Hamazkain (2012) and Noah’s Ark Art Gallery (2014) in Beirut and Albert and Tove Boyadjian Gallery (2013) in Yerevan. His artwork has been published in three books: “Colors and Words: From Armenia and Beyond” (2002), “Past Does Not Yet Melt Here” (2007) – the latter with paintings and poetry following a climb of Mount Ararat, and most recently a retrospective; “Life With Watercolors,” which was published in 2014 by Noah’s Ark Gallery in Beirut.  In September 2014, the Pakine literary and art publication had a special section of 3 articles and a number of paintings dedicated to Dr. Armenian’s watercolors. “It is to this unique memory of moments and worlds that the art lovers are moved to - or can go to - pursuing through their senses what may be felt on their own from the story by Haroutune Armenian” states Hagop Balian, the Editor in Chief of Pakine.

 

His work has been further exhibited at:

 

• Artexpo New York 2013, Pier 92

• Art’Monaco’13, Grimaldi Forum

• Art’Monaco’14, Grimaldi Forum

• Life100 Exhibit, 2015, Brand Art Center, Glendale, CA