Interview
Liana Gor-Goroian
Liana born in Armenia capital city Yerevan. She continued her studies at the College of Fine Arts in Yerevan. Liana completed her higher education in art at the Armenian State Institute of Fine Art. In 1981, she graduated from the Institute with the highest art degree offered, a Masters Degree in Art and Design. As a talented student, Liana was invited to participate in exhibitions in different countries in Europe, such as Russia, Poland, Germany and France. Currently, Liana resides in Los Angeles, California. Within the last few years, Liana has had numerous solo exhibitions in different galleries of the United States. Her works are on display at prestigious galleries in Russia, Armenia, Poland, and Los Angeles. Art collectors are proud owners of Liana’s exquisite art works. Influenced by photographs left by her grandmother - an actress in Stanislavsky Theatre- and by her grandfather-an officer in the Czar's army-the several paintings generated immediate interest. In 1994, she moved to the United States with her family. In Los Angeles, Liana worked as story board artist, illustrator, textile designer, graphic designer, and apparel designer for different companies, also was a teacher in her own Art Studio.
In her paintings, women often live in a mystical world, surrounded by bizarre forms, signs and objects - a world real to them, to be taken seriously. "Mirror of Art Nouveau", her first collection, was twelve works about love, life and beauty, "My daughter and her dance students were the prototypes for my characters," says Liana. Designing costumes for these models, she drew numerous preliminary sketches. Liana Gor-Goroian peers into an inner spiritual world and expresses that on canvas. "Why are my subjects women? Because beauty excites me, I like to see transformations, diversity, the layers covering the vulnerable paleness of a female arm, or tender mat luster of flesh; the skin's translucence beneath a film of gauze draping a naked body. It might as well be the ultramarine of the night sky and the whiteness of the stars. My brush does not just move about the surface, it carefully penetrates the space of another dimension, going beyond the frontier - which is insurmountable to anyone else. There truly is space and life behind that fragile margin, as in a mirror. Of these space and life forms I express my daily chronicles, of their everyday life and feasts. And - of women who belong there.”
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I was born in capital city of Armenia, Yerevan. I remember drawing and painting as a toddler. I have been painting at 3 years of age. My father, a musician and architect, recognized my talent in music and fine art and became my first and most important teacher. At age five, I began playing the piano and expressing the feelings of the characters I drew. Like many children of the arts, I was accepted at art school at age six. I began my formal training and two years later took part in local, countrywide, and international juried exhibitions. At the age of eight, I entered a Russian-Armenian International exhibition ‘Kids represent the Peaceful World,’ receiving a gold medal. In 1969 at nine, I received the Grand Prix at the annual International Exhibition in Moscow.”
What does your work aim to say? Does it comment on any current social or political issues?
“Some people are born knowing who they are and where they are going while others spend their entire lives trying to find out. Yet, some never do. All people live with feelings and love and I want them to see how beautiful our life is.”
Do you plan your work in advance, or is it improvisation?
“Sometimes I know in advance what I have to paint, but sometimes my inspiration come from deep soul and music which inspire me most.”
“In my paintings, women often live in a mystical world, surrounded by bizarre forms, signs and objects – a world real to them, to be taken seriously.”
What process, materials and techniques do you use to create your artwork?
“I’m using oil, acrylic, ink and gold leaf media to create my artwork. I like to work with a pallet knife, and I like mixed media.”
What does your art mean to you?
“In my paintings, women often live in a mystical world, surrounded by bizarre forms, signs and objects – a world real to them, to be taken seriously. ‘Mirror of Art Nouveau,’ my first collection, was twelve works about love, life and beauty. My daughter and her dance students were the prototypes for my characters. Designing costumes for my models, I drew numerous preliminary sketches. I peer into an inner spiritual world and expresses that on canvas. I also love paint flowers and abstract.”
What’s your favourite artwork and why?
“My paintings are like my kids and how can a mother say I love one kid more then another?”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“I had many exhibitions in different countries, but the most noteworthy was Art Biennale Internazionale Arte Firenze in Florence, Italy. I meet a lot of interesting people from around the world and I won prize.”
