Artist in conversation: Lia Mkhitaryan
“I’m genuinely curious what the free mind is able to do on a canvas and other forms of expression.”
Lia Mkhirtaryan, born into a family of artists, defies the conventional trajectory by not having a formal art academic background. Despite this, art has been the core of her being, shaping her identity and career path. For over 12 years, Lia has immersed herself in the art world as a painter, curator, and co-founder of the esteemed Eiva Arts Foundation.
Her journey as an artist and curator has led her to curate diverse mixed media exhibitions encompassing fine art, photography, video art, and installations both in Armenia and in international exhibitions and festivals. Lia's artistic work resonates across continents, showcasing a profound understanding of cultural dynamics and artistic expressions.
Beyond her artistic pursuits, Lia emerges as a luminary in the realm of global creativity and innovation consultancy. As the founding director of the Eiva Arts Foundation, she has orchestrated over 70 successful international projects and campaigns spanning countries such as the USA, France, Brazil, and beyond. Her strategic collaborations with a myriad of international entities, including state governments, UN Agencies, and corporate sectors, underscore her commitment to fostering creative communities and bridging the gap between art and technology.
Amidst her bustling career, Lia finds solace in the act of creation. Outside of her professional endeavors, she dedicates time to painting, organizing international exhibitions, writing, exploring foreign languages, photography, and delving into various forms of visual arts and storytelling. Lia Mkhirtaryan embodies the fusion of artistry, innovation, and advocacy, creating a vibrant tapestry of creativity that transcends boundaries and inspires change.
What initially inspired you to become an artist, and how did you develop your unique style?
I grew up surrounded by the arts. My father is an artist and I have been deeply inspired and influenced by his art since childhood. I didn't pursue formal academic education in art, but my upbringing and environment naturally rooted in me a profound appreciation and passion for arts.
Over the past decade, I've dedicated myself to exploring various forms of visual art, striving to develop my own unique style and voice through artworks I create, produce or curate. This journey has been both challenging and rewarding, because art for me is, first of all, a vehicle to push the boundaries of my creativity and discover aspects of myself that have been unknown to me.
For me, the initial and the everlasting inspiration to pursue art is this process of infinite exploration, the journey where I’m not only able to, but also I’m encouraged to embrace uncertainty and trust in the freedom of expression. The canvas is a special space where I can fully immerse myself in the creative process without fear or any preconceived ideas about the outcome.
In terms of subject matter, what themes or motifs do you frequently explore in your work, and what draws you to these topics?
I’m fundamentally curious about the depth of the human mind, psyche and multitude of emotions, the understanding and awareness of it, social conditioning, the experiences that shape our existence, the subjectivity of reality for each one of us. I love discovering analogies between human experiences and the world around us, whether it be in nature, in science, in technology. Painting for me is not a premeditated intellectual process, it’s intuitive and deeply personal, I find inspiration from every thought, observation, and interaction.
What role does technology play in your artistic and curatorial practices?
I love integrating technologies and mediums in my works. Not only does it give another layer of depth to the production, but it also evokes various sensations. Art, at its core, is primarily an emotional experience for both the creator and the viewer. I find it deeply inspiring to be able to narrate with various mediums.
In my curatorial experience, I've had the opportunity to put together shows that combined physical installations, video art pieces, performances. These interdisciplinary shows not only showcase the versatility of artistic expression but also create immersive experiences that engage the audience on multiple levels. I'm equally fascinated by mixing techniques, tools, and mediums directly on the canvas. This process of experimentation opens up new ideas for creative expression for me.
What role does experimentation play in your creative process?
Experimentation is one of the core values of both my creative process and my approach to life. Experimentation always leads to new inspiration and takes me in unexpected directions. For me, the creative process is all about granting oneself permission to experiment and play without fear or judgment. I cherish that sense of freedom and spirit of experimentation on a canvas, always hoping to project on to other aspects of my personal and professional life.
Is there a specific piece of art you've created that holds special meaning to you?
My art journey started in 2010 during an emotionally turbulent phase of my life. And one day, out of nowhere, I grabbed some sponges, oil colors and one thick brush I painted a big elephant on a massive cardboard canvas. It was a spontaneous inspiration or maybe urge, and it took me about 10-15 minutes to paint it.
When I exhibited the artwork, it sold unexpectedly. And, of course, I was happy and excited about it, but I didn’t realize that the elephant had a deeper significance for me than I ever realized or comprehended at the time. A couple of years later, I founded an arts foundation and the elephant motif came forth once again as a logo to represent the foundation. Looking back, that initial artwork of the “Sad Elephant” became more than just a painting; it marked the start of my artistic journey.
How do you incorporate feedback from critics and audiences into your artistic practice, and how do you balance this feedback with your own artistic intuition?
I did have my fair share of a prolonged imposter syndrome even without any particular outside criticism. I can be my own harshest critic, which unfortunately can subject to prolonged periods of self-doubt. However, now, I’ve reached the point in my life where I have a more neutral attitude towards opinions, praise or criticism. I’ve learned to detach myself from the excitement of positive feedback and the downheartedness of negative one. I take both with gratitude and see if there is any learning or a possibility of a constructive improvement in it and that’s it. At this phase in the artistic journey, I’m entirely relying on my intuition, I focus on quieting my mind to be able to listen to that inner voice. I’m genuinely curious what the free mind is able to do on a canvas and other forms of expression.
I feel that this kind of clarity and sense of self awareness allows me to keep the focus on the journey itself rather than anything else.
How do you stay motivated and inspired despite any setbacks or creative blocks you may encounter?
I thought to myself to acknowledge the block when it’s there and intentionally step away from the project. You can’t force creativity, so I keep myself busy with something entirely different. This kind of deliberate shift really helps me find inspiration elsewhere. In a way, I go in for “inspiration hunting.” I may spend a lot of time walking, writing either in the form of brain dumps or fictional storytelling or turning memories into stories. Whatever it may be, overcoming a creative block means exposing myself to new experiences. Usually inspiration comes when I least expect it. The most important thing is not to criticize the block along with anxiety and fear that comes with it.
How do you feel about exhibiting your artworks with The Holy Art Gallery?
I was thrilled about the exhibition. In fact, it was my first international exhibition with my own artworks after 15 years of break, which made the experience also emotionally significant. I’m very happy about this collaboration with the Holy Art Gallery and the prospect of my first exhibition in London, a city so close to my heart and renowned for its cultural vibrancy, was even better than I could ever expect.
Looking ahead, what are your long-term goals and aspirations as an artist, and how do you plan to achieve them?
My long term aspirations revolve around exploring the intersection of art and technology, creation of massive installations and sculptural pieces. The idea of merging traditional painting forms with cutting-edge technology, dynamics and experience it brings to artistic expression is fascinating to me. I’m also infinitely inspired by cinema and I’m keen to integrate elements of cinematography into my art. Not to sound vague, tech and cinema are the two abstract-specific realms that I aspire to explore in my artistic journey.
What role does emotion play in your creative process, and and how do you aim to evoke specific feelings or reactions from those who view your artworks?
I'm highly emotional and sensitive, and my approach to art is the expression of spontaneous emotions rather than premeditated logical or intellectual process. The canvas is that space where I’m able to explore and project those inner emotions onto it.
If I’m being completely honest, I don’t think about evoking specific feelings or any reactions in the viewer. It’s neither a deliberate aspect of my creative process, nor do I seek to control the output, response or the resonance of it. I do believe that people project their own emotions and feelings interacting with art.
I infuse my art with a sense of freedom and joy. If it resonates with people, touches them in a meaningful way, I’m genuinely beyond happy about it.