Audio tour Self-portraits of Ashot Melkonyan

Hagop Hagopian

Honorary artist of Armenia

It delighted me immensely when while still in Leninakan, I met two young artists, Onnik Minassian and Ashot Melkonian, who came from Yerevan to mature in Shirak world and who carried the unmistakable mark of a fair breed. They were like a treasure discovered.
I was also very happy to have participated in decoration of the dome of Echmiadzin seminary with scenes dedicated to Komitas Vardapet, these scenes were authored by Ashot Melkonian.
Melkonian possesses a beautiful and unique artistic style. He is a thoroughly Armenian artist. He does not come from elsewhere, like many others did, he comes from within himself, from the East, and carries in him the ways of the West.
Very well educated, a brilliant composer of scenes, an author of exquisite portraits and landscapes, a master of gentlest and subtlest painting. Melkonian is the pride of our painting school.
I know that Melkonian's childhood was not easy. But he is still happy and full of high spirits and gumor, with very human and artistic disposition. I never saw him gloomy or intimidated. With this in mind, I would like to wish that this wonderful artist feels happy about his life far away from home. He deserves everything that is good. As for us, those who know him admire his art, how can we forget him.