Edman O'Aivazian ROI, RSMA

I was born in Teheran in 1931, into an Armenian family, and started painting at the age of 13. As a young artist I regularly participated in group exhib­itions and one-man shows, exploring and recording a vast country on canvas. My paintings endeavoured to capture the richness of cultures, traditions and the architecture of past and present. My works culminated in the publication of ‘An Armenian Village’ in 1984.

From an early age, my travels influenced my outlook on art, and in particular classical Rome with its awe-inspiring power led to a series of church murals, including ‘The Last Supper’ and ‘The Creation’. In 1971 I moved to London via Rome, where I studied at the Academy of Arts. I have painted in oils, acrylic and watercolour.

In my formative years I studied Persian art at Isfahan, a cradle of Islamic art and design, and designed a 250 metre calligraphy frieze, which was installed in Riyadh Airport in 1985. More recently I was commissioned to design a 50-metre mural for the King Abdulaziz National Museum, Riyadh.

My work is founded on the need to understand nature though the abstraction of form, light and colour. Distilling this essence, I have applied my artistic talents to capturing the diverse scenery of rivers in all its forms. I joined the Wapping Group in 2002 and feel very much at home in the company of like-minded painters, enjoying the endearing friendship of my fellow artists, who are dedicated to recording the essence of the Thames and the human activity that this great river supports on its banks.
In 1977 I was fortunate enough to meet Aram Khachatourian in London, and was asked to paint a portrait of the great composer. This painting now hangs in the Khachatourian Museum in Yerevan, Armenia.

Some of my works are currently exhibited at the Museum San Lazaro, Venice; the National Museum and the Museum of Modern Art, Yerevan; and the Aivazovski Museum, Theodosia. Also my murals are in Armenian churches in Teheran and the National Museum, Riyadh. A number of my paintings are with private collectors around the world.
Exhibited: Biennale Venice, New York, Yerevan, Crimea, RIBA London, ROI, RSMA.

Dates and summery of my achievements:

The Royal Society of Marine Artists – member
The Royal Institute of Oil Painters - member
The Wapping Goup of Artists - member
1932 Born Tehran, Iran. Started painting at the age of 13.
1948 Participated in international exhibition of young painters.
1949 Group exhibition in Mshakoit Cultural Association.
1950 Annual group exhibition in USSR Cultural Home, Tehran.
1954 Group exhibition of contemporary art in Mehregan Club, Tehran.
1955 Group exhibition in Abyaz Palace, Tehran.
1955 One man show Iran American Society, Tehran.
1957 Group exhibition of Tehran Biennial.
1955 Selected as an Iranian Artist to enter the Biennial of Venice.
1950 Group exhibition at the Garoon Club, Tehran.
1952 One man show Iran American Society, Tehran.
1955 Group exhibition in the Guild Hall, London.
1974 Painted large murals for St. Serkis Church, Tehran.
1984 One man show Gorky Gallery, New York.One man show Gulbenkian Hall, London.
1985 Commissioned to paint portraits of Saudi Kings and Princes and paintings of life in 1930’s Saudi Arabia.
1986 Interior design for King Fahed International Airport Mosque.
1987 One man show Yerevan, Armenia.1990 Group exhibition Simferopol, Crimea.
1991 Group exhibition Library Museum, Boston.
1991 One man show Rochan Gallery London.
1993 Group exhibition ‘American Armenian Artists Association, Boston.
1997 Annual Exhibition, New English Art Club, Mall Galleries, London.
1997 Royal Institute of Oil Painters, Mall Galleries, London.
2001 British Library Exhibition – Treasures From The Ark.
2001 Commissioned Portrait by Crown Prince Abdula Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud
2002-9 Exhibitions; ROI, RSMA, Wapping group.
2012 Exhibition in Toronto Canada, Queen Gallery.

COLLECTORS

Museum of St. Lazzaro, Venice. Museum of Aram, Khachatourian, Yerevan, St. Serkis Church, Tehran. Abadan Armenian Church, Iran. Narmak Armenian Church. Tehran. N.l.O.C. Tehran. Northrop Corp. U.S.A. Private Collection Saudi Arabia. Private Collection Oman. Armenian National Gallery and Modern Art Museum Yerevan. Aivazovski Museum Fedosiya, Crimea. Private Collection Boston. Sainsburys, London.

WINNER OF THE FOLLOWING COMPETITIONS

1948 International Youth Exhibition.1956 First Prize Winner of Iranian Contemporary Artists.
1958 First Prize Winner of Ministry of Culture Annual Competition, Selected for Biennial of Venice.
1998 Prize Winner, ‘Stanley Grimm’ Award, ROI Annual exhibition
2000 Prize Winner of Royal Institute of Oil Painters “Windsor and Newton”,
2001 The Worshipful Company of Shipwright’s Award, RSMA Annual exhibition.
2012 The Das Award Royal Institute of Oil Painters.

ARCHITECTURAL PROJECTS
1960/1974 Gadjereh Hotel. Thomassian College Tehran and numerous private dwellings and apartments.
1980 Work on the interior design of King Abdulaziz Airport Brand Mosque, Riyadh also the mural and the waiting hall in Jeddah Airport commissioned by Vesti Corporation, Boston.
1986 Interior design for the King Fahed International Airport Mosque, Dahran.
1998 Mural for King Abdulaziz National Museum, Riyadh.
2008 Mosaic Design for Grand Mosque “Oman”