Armenian fine art historically focused on religious illuminations, miniatures, and other pious objects, the most significant of which were secured and hidden in the gandzaran (գանձարան), or treasury. These treasure vaults found in monasteries and cathedrals protected religious works, which would be displayed periodically for the faithful, then returned to the vaults to be preserved for the ages.  

Drawing from the Museum’s vaults—our own gandzaran—this exhibit showcases the development of Armenian art in the 20th and 21st centuries, from its origins in Armenian religious motifs, to the censorship of the Soviet period, to Armenian art’s continuous reinterpretation among contemporary artists around the world. The exhibition demonstrates the full breadth of that history both in Armenia and the Diaspora, juxtaposing tradition and modernity, religion and secularism, individualism and community; each piece proposing a wildly different notion of Armenian art. Despite the diversity of the work displayed here, certain themes and materials come to the fore: bread, motherhood, manuscripts, collage—commonalities which point towards a shared Armenian experience.  

Although these works represent only a small fraction of the Armenian Museum’s holdings, we hope it gives visitors a small glimpse of the range and complexity of the Museum's modern and contemporary art collection. We welcome the opportunity to share our gandzaran with you!  

Exhibition curated by Ryann Casey. Co-curated by Gary Lind-Sinanian and Elias Trout.  

ABOUT THE CURATOR

Ryann Casey is a New Jersey based artist, curator, and educator. Casey holds a BA in Photography with a minor in Gender Studies from Stockton University and an MFA/MS in Photography and Art History from Pratt Institute. She currently works as the Exhibition Coordinator at the Stockton University Gallery and is an adjunct Professor of Photography, Art History and Critical Theory. Casey’s current photographic and curatorial projects focus on themes of loss, trauma, and memory.

List of Artists:

Armen Adilkhanian, Gagik Aroutiunian, Minas Avetisyan, Martin Barooshian, Maria Manukyan Batlle, Jean Carzou, Edgar Chahine, Ellen Sarkisian Chesnut, Khoren Der Harootian, Felix Eghiazarian, Charles Garabedian, Sarkis Hamalbashian, Melkon Hovhannisyan, Eduard Isabekyan, Jean Jansem, Dr. Jack Kevorkian, Grigor Khanjyan, Kevork Mourad, Reuben Nakian,
Naomi Pridjian, Hovsep Pushman, Martiros Sarian, Vakhtang Sirunyan, and Apo Torosyan.

Highlights from the show:

Gandzaran/Treasury Exhibition Puts Spotlight on OUR Collection

The Armenian Museum of America in Watertown has recently opened its latest exhibition in the Adele and Haig Der Manuelian Galleries, “Gandzaran! Notable Selections from Our Collection.”

In recent centuries, Armenian fine art often focused on illuminations, reliquaries, and other pious objects, the most significant of which were secured and hidden in the gandzaran (գանձարան), or treasury, of a monastery. These treasure vaults were designed to protect religious works, which would be displayed periodically for the faithful, then returned to the vaults to be preserved for the ages.

“Drawing from the vaults of the Museum here in Boston, its own gandzaran of sorts, this exhibit highlights the development of Armenian art in the 20th and 21st centuries, from religious motifs to the Soviet period and its continuous reinterpretation among contemporary artists around the world,” says Curator Ryann Casey.

“It’s a show full of diversity that demonstrates the breadth of history in Armenia and the Diaspora, featuring paintings, etchings, and sculpture,” adds Ms. Casey.

Select Photos from member Preview:

Thank you to all that were able to attend the opening of our new contemporary exhibit, “Gandzaran! Notable Selections from Our Collection.” We are proud to host members of the museum for exclusive events such as this, as a way of showing our gratitude for your proactive support. This exhibit will be on view this spring and summer so we hope everyone will have a chance to view this extraordinary exhibit.

installation images: