Gregor Danelyan’s Exhibition: A Journey Through Memory Lane

Gregor Danelyan’s Exhibition: A Journey Through Memory Lane

The National Center for Contemporary Arts is currently hosting a personal exhibition of Gregor Danelyan’s works titled “A Journey Through Memory Lane.” Danelyan’s art can be found in museums and private collections across Armenia, Austria, Belarus, Great Britain, Germany, Georgia, Denmark, Israel, Italy, Canada, Latvia, the Netherlands, Norway, Russia, the USA, Ukraine, France, and Switzerland. This exhibition offers a unique opportunity to explore the various facets of the artist’s creativity and worldview. On March 19th at 18:30, a memorial event dedicated to the artist will take place at the NCCA on Nekrasova, 3.

Artistry, Themes, and Style

Olesya Inozemtseva, the exhibition curator, shares her insights:

“Gregor Danelyan arrived in Belarus in 1993 as an already accomplished artist. A graduate of the Yerevan Art Institute, he had traversed a significant and fascinating creative path and participated in numerous exhibitions by that time. Danelyan had developed a circle of themes and subjects that intrigued him. Early in his career, he was drawn to expressionism, cubism, and rayism, and he also explored pop art and collage. The themes of his works were equally diverse, ranging from everyday scenes to sacred subjects, from landscapes and still lifes to mythological images. One constant remained: a high level of technical professionalism.

Upon moving to Belarus, Danelyan became captivated by Belarusian motifs, and his works began to feature numerous references to Belarus’s nature. However, as in Armenia and Georgia, the artist continued to be inspired by universal themes present throughout European culture. There are no accidental works or compositions in his oeuvre. To decipher and understand his paintings, to identify the subjects and find the keys, one needs a certain level of knowledge in art history, philosophy, world history, biblical themes, and global mythology. But, in my opinion, the unifying force behind all his works is the appeal to sacred themes, regardless of the subject. Whether it’s ancient Greek myths, biblical themes, or simple portraits and still lifes, these are not just images or exercises in color and style. They are appeals to a spiritual ‘super self.'”

Artem Danelyan, the artist’s son, recounts:

“Our family has a long-standing connection with Belarus. In 1940, my grandfather, Artem Danelyan (Gregor’s father), was drafted into the Red Army in Slonim. He served in a motorized rifle division and was 20 years old when World War II began. He endured the horrors of the war, including concentration camps, from which he managed to escape. He served as a scout in the regiment named after Shchors and was later enlisted in the rifle regiment of the 1st Belorussian Front, making it all the way to Berlin. Sadly, he passed away at the age of 50, a heavily ill man.

In Tbilisi, my uncle carefully preserves his combat awards: the Order of the Red Banner, the Order of the Red Star, the medals ‘For the Liberation of Warsaw,’ ‘For the Capture of Berlin,’ ‘For the Victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945,’ and five commendations from the Supreme Commander-in-Chief.

According to my father, my grandfather loved Belarus dearly and had warm memories of the people. He was friends with his fellow soldiers… As his grandson, I believe it’s essential to preserve the memory of those who endured challenging times and valued friendship and peace… My grandfather’s warm memories of Belarus and its people speak of a human connection that transcends generations… My son was born on Belarusian soil, and I am incredibly proud of that.”

Lucine Danelyan, the artist’s daughter, shares:

“Gregor was born in the city of Tbilisi, Georgia, in the very heart of the old theater town, a city of fairy tales, in an Italian multinational, friendly, and colorful courtyard that served as a unique ‘institute of morality, institute of conscience.’ As my father recalled, the speech of Tbilisi reminded him of ancient chants… The rituals, traditions, culture, and philosophy of the city resembled a ‘Divine Spectacle,’ where everyone played their role…

At the age of 5, he was enrolled in the central art school, where his first teachers were the esteemed artists of Georgia, Shota Pavlovich and Margarita Sergeevna Metreveli. They instilled in him a love for work and creativity and noticed his abilities. Until the end of his life, he was grateful to fate for this encounter, as it left an imprint of reverence for the word ‘Teacher’ for a lifetime.

He then entered the Yerevan Art and Theater Institute and, a year before graduating in 1973, began participating in exhibitions. By fate’s design, he moved to Belarus in 1993, where a new period of his life began. Belarus became his second homeland. Here, he started practicing yoga, and naturally, his spiritual state began to change, which undoubtedly reflected in his creativity.

From 1993 to 2003, Gregor created the collection ‘In the Light of His Light’ (10 paintings). He organized more than 25 personal exhibitions throughout the Republic. He loved the Belarusian people for their kindness and hospitality and was amazed by the nature of Belarus—the forests, lakes, rivers, and picturesque fields of unique beauty. Gregor valued the tranquility and serenity that Belarus’s nature bestowed. And most importantly, his works changed in Belarus; they acquired a different hue—an inner light.”

Text prepared by: Olga Savitskaya

For more information about Gregor Danelyan and his works, visit the official website.