Artist

The art of Narek Van is multilayered, fusing a variety of approaches where the Line, the Color, the Ornament, the Magic, and the Poetry remain dominant.
Artist Narek Van was born in Armenia in 1985, in a family of artists. Narek has inherited his love toward art from his grandfather, Hovhannes Sharambeyan – a People’s Artist of the Armenian Soviet Republic – whose cultural work has significantly influenced the development of the artist’s worldview.
Themed “The Tale of Fragments,” the first solo exhibition of the young artist took place in 2015 in the “Dalan Art” Gallery of Yerevan, presenting 24 of his works and one animated short film. That same year, Narek Van participated in the Young Artists Republican Exhibition at the Artists Union of Armenia and held a number of single artwork exhibition-evenings. In 2015 and 2016, he has been a member of the Best Concept and Public Award jury panels of the ReAnimania International Animation Film & Comics Art Festival of Yerevan. 

In 2017 the solo exhibition of Narek Van “Moving Fragments” took place in Prague at Galerie Jakubska. The circle of creation of Narek Van can be seen as one entirety, and the selection of themes stand out through their diversity and depth. Narek Van has his distinct style which – refusing to confine itself to one school or

method – increasingly strives toward magical realism.
His series of visions of imaginary cities is remarkable. Central among them is his own small fictional city, Narekavan. In his work, Narek Van regularly alludes to themes from the Old Testament, as well as to allegories with fictional-legendary, life, and social meaning, aptly combining these in the realm of his creation.
His art is expressive, endowed with elastic diversity. Each piece opens a window to a sophisticated and rich world, filled with dynamism and movement, coupled with a vibrant palette that exudes bold expression and emotion.