Summary
Ruben S. Angaladyan
Key words – Ara Shiraz, exhibition, talent, responsibility, artistic life, artist of the sixties, composition of a sculptural portrait, real beauty, Armenian culture.
The works by sculptor Ara Shiraz that are presented in the National Gallery of Armenia from November 18, 2017 until the end of the year, bear the stamp of an artistic personality. Clay and wax in his works seek and find the power of his mind, the blood of his tribe, the warmth of the soul striving for the future. In his work he puts a higher level of analysis than are just the justice or beauty. Ara Shiraz saw in Armenia not only the old history, not only the greatness of the spirit, but also shortcomings and imperfections. He was true to this artistic logic of development, a stony landscape open before the winds, he could argue until he was almost to death with the Time itself, that is, with Armenia itself. So he passed away, with anxiety for his country, for the future and for his culture!
Therefore, the works of Shiraz, in which contemporaries are represented, convince, inspiring confidence in our souls, that although his creative path was unexpectedly and quite early completed, this difficult path was passed to the end. It’s time for a deep understanding of his multi-layered work. It’s time for Ara Shiraz to take his rightful place in the Armenian culture, beginning from the 60s of the 20th century to the first decade of the 21st century.