Interview: Maro Sargsyan
Luca Curci talks with Maro Sargsyan during CONTEMPORARY VENICE 2021 – 8TH EDITION, at THE ROOM Contemporary Art Space.

“I was born on the fantastic planet Earth, in the fabulous country of Armenia in the city of Yerevan in 1973, November 29. At birth, I chose the parents of artists, the name of Maro and my further path. 1980-1988 attended high school. 1988-1992 State College of Fine Arts (The Department of Painting and Graphic Arts). 1993-1999 Yerevan Academy of Fine Arts (Painting Chairs) and 2012-2013 CSDCA Cours of Continuing Education “Restoration of Frescoes”. I have had solo and group exhibitions in France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Denmark, Russia, of course, in Armenia. 2001 Member of the Artists Union of Armenia. 2002 Member of the Designers Union of Armenia, International Association of Designers. 2014 Member of the Artists Union of Paris “Les Seize Anges”. 2015 Member AFCAE (de l’Association France Chine Art)”.

LUCA CURCI – How did you get to your current artistic practice?
MARO SARGSYAN – I am very lucky. I was born in a family of artists (grandfathers, father and mother). The smell of paints, canvases, sketches, drawings, clay, magnificent books about art accompanied me throughout my childhood and in my teens. Painting had been my favourite hobby, a natural process, a need for self-expression, a part of my world and my life. the choice of profession was also a natural continuation of this process.

LC – Which is the role the artist plays in society? And contemporary art?
MS – I don’t like the definition of “contemporary art”. At all times, art inspires, delights, evokes protest or pacification, tears, a smile or a storm of emotions, touches the strings of the soul, makes you think, opens up another, unusual vision for you. The role of art and the artist is great, it is necessary like air in the modern world, in this world where chaos, selfishness and disagreement, wars and epidemics reign, where spirituality, humanity, kindness are lost, people move away from their original nature of the creator and turn into a consumer. And only art can awaken souls to unite people, it knows no boundaries, nationality, race, religion.

LC – Where do you find your inspiration?
MS – I have many themes, there is no specific theme or style, and a lot of execution techniques (oil, pastel, watercolour, ink, collage). I can be inspired by the image of a person with characteristic features, an interesting portrait, or by the world surrounding me: objects that live their own lives, as if animated, nature, where there are lights and shadows, colours, harmony, flexibility, giving us life and energy, the cities and villages, with their own unique flavour, smell and colour. Sometimes there is a period of reflection, conclusions, reassessment of the path travelled, values, a view from the outside at the world and people. It is then that a series of philosophical paintings are born, which are aimed at encouraging the viewer to reflect, wake up, listen to their soul.

LC – What is the most challenging part about creating your artworks?
MS – The most difficult thing in creating pictures, I think, is the ability to convey or just to convey your emotions, your mood, your view of the world, and to paint an invisible spiritual thread from yourself to the painting and from the painting to the viewer.

LC – Do you think ITSLIQUID GROUP can represent an opportunity for artists?
MS – In this business, I highly appreciate the role of art projects and galleries. I express my special gratitude to ITSLIQUID GROUP, for a great project, which provided an opportunity to gather under one roof dozens of artists from different countries, with different styles, visions to share their creative work. For perfect organizational work.

LC – Did you enjoy cooperating with us?
MS – I am happy to be a participant in the exhibition, in CONTEMPORARY VENIC 2021 at THE ROOM Contemporary Art Space, in the fabulous city of Venice!