Roslin Art Gallery presents Haroutune Armenian

FROM THE CAMINO & US is an exhibit of watercolor paintings and other work by artist Haroutune Armenian on occasion of the release of his new book of watercolors and poetry in Armenian, The Camino and Us: by the footpath of the messenger which captures the 700 km trail Haroutune and his wife Sona hiked leading to Santiago de Compostela and the months following. On exhibit are all of the pieces contained in the book as well as some of Haroutune’s larger pieces and collage works. Armenian’s scenes are at once idyllic, spontaneous and endlessly experimental and his controlled hand and novel use of color retain a refreshing simplicity and sincerity.

“Armenian embraces luxe, calme et volupté no less intensely than Henri Matisse in his inter-war years. Similarly, his light touch and aqueous palette conjure the work of Raoul Dufy.” – Critic Peter Frank

HAROUT ARMENIAN is a visual artist interested in the transformative potential of watercolor. His work includes landscapes and seascapes captured during travels to over 40 countries as well as a collection of abstract work. Born in Beirut, Lebanon, Armenian began painting in 1976, during a time when the country was embroiled in a fierce civil war. Faced daily with the sound of bombs and an eyewitness to violent unrest, Armenian sought respite through painting. While working at the American University of Beirut, he frequently painted the campus’ vibrant gardens and views overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, a prologue to his disciplined self-study of watercolor painting that would continue for decades to come.