Emerging American-Armenian Artist Jack Avetisyan Explores His Cultural Identity in First Solo Show

GLENDALE, Calif. - Jan. 3, 2018 - PRLog -- 1/3/2018, Glendale – The Armenian Arts Gallery of Glendale is pleased to present "Turmoil," a solo show from first-generation American-Armenian artist Jack Avetisyan. An emerging talent in the Los Angeles area, Avetisyan's work explores the inner conflict resulting from the challenge of honoring cultural mores while forging a personal identity apart from traditional values. The 2-day only show opens with a reception from 7pm–10pm on Friday, February 2, and will be on view 4pm–8pm on Saturday, February 3.

"Turmoil" is Avetisyan's first solo show, encompassing an evolving body of work that began in 2016, and markedly different from his work as a commercial graphic designer and illustrator of a previously published children's book, "Heart of a Lion." Professionally, he alternates between the clean structured designs that corporate clients demand and the loose, expressive style of his personal work. Initially focused on the female figure, his paintings have gradually become enigmatic, more reflective self-portraits - a foray into self-deconstruction and the reassembly of a new, individualized identity. Jack's evolving focus has become an observation on the duality of life and the continuous challenge to better oneself, striving to find the balance between individuality and preserving his Armenian culture. Using a visceral, assertive style, Avetisyan delves deeply into the conflict between cultural conformity and individualism. In this personal journey, as he explores realism in his figurative pieces and the theoretical in his abstract work, one senses the inner turmoil he is trying to dispel.

While always drawn to art, Avetisyan was captivated by the experimental story forms and themes in 20th Century American literature at a young age. While attending the Otis College of Art and Design, he realized the same ideas were prevalent in Postmodern art, and began incorporating those concepts into his work using figurative distortion and other expressionist techniques. Today, his fine art pieces can be found in private, corporate, and institutional collections.

The Armenian Arts Gallery of Glendale is a nonpro t organization and cultural center devoted to educating the public about Armenian contributions to humanity. Armenian Arts is a division of Knowledge Truck, Inc., a nonprofit California organization that celebrates the Armenian identity by showcasing American-Armenian contributions to American civilization and humanity as a whole.

For Press Inquiries:
Armenian Arts Gallery
1125 S. Central Ave., Glendale, CA 91204 (818) 244-2468 | info@armenianarts.com www.ArmenianArts.com

Available for media interviews:
Jack Avetisyan
(818) 800-9591 | press@avetisyanart.com www.avetisyanart.com