Akop Gyurjyan Armenian sculptor Date of Birth: 05.12.1881

1. Early Life and Education
2. Artistic Development in Russia
3. Journey to France and America
4. International Recognition

Early Life and Education

Aкоп Гюрджян was born into a humble Armenian family in Shusha, the sixth of eight children. After the loss of his parents, his elder brother, Grigor, raised him. He attended the local real school, where the renowned Armenian ethnographer and archaeologist Ерванд Лалаян taught Armenian language. From a young age, Акоп showed an aptitude for sculpting, molding clay and carving stone figurines, often at the expense of his studies, much to the dismay of his family.

In 1899, Grigor enrolled Акоп in the private Fidler School in Moscow, where he studied until 1904. In Moscow, Гюрджян met the sculptor Паоло Трубецкой, who allowed him to work in his studio and provided valuable guidance. Upon graduating, Акоп relocated to Baku, working as a draftsman before serving two years of military duty in an engineering battalion.

Artistic Development in Russia

During World War I, Гюрджян returned to Russia, residing in Moscow for six years. He visited Maxim Gorky in Mustamäki and created a second portrait of the writer. In 1915, he participated in the "World of Art" exhibition, but his works received little critical acclaim. In late 1916, he traveled to Tiflis, where he spent several months.

The October Revolution found Гюрджян in Moscow. He endured four challenging years during the Russian Civil War, working under the state policy of "monumental propaganda."

Journey to France and America

In 1921, Гюрджян secured permission to travel to France, citing concerns for his artwork left overseas. However, he found his works in disarray, stored in a haphazard manner, with many damaged or broken. After a brief stay in Tours, he returned to Paris, where he pursued his artistic endeavors while supplementing his income with teaching.

In 1923, he traveled to New York at the invitation of an American patroness to teach sculpture. Despite financial struggles, he held a successful solo exhibition at the Kingor Gallery in 1924, selling several works and receiving a commission for a bas-relief.

International Recognition

Гюрджян's reputation steadily grew, leading to a significant solo exhibition at the renowned Hotel Jean Charpentier in Paris in 1926. The exhibition showcased nearly 100 works, garnering widespread acclaim and improving his financial situation. From 1925 to 1930, he participated in exhibitions in France, Belgium, and Japan, showcasing his diverse artistic creations.