Press

On Thursday, 8 November 2018, under the patronage of the owner and general manager at “Innovas Pharm” Dr. Rita Sfeir, the opening ceremony of the exhibition of Lena Aydenian titled “Holes of Hope” was launched at Hamazkayin Art Gallery.

The ceremony started by the opening speech of Anjella Daghlian, a member of the art gallery staff, then Dr. Rita took her speech and wished that Aydenian can accomplish all her dreams in her life.

The exhibition was held on two floors with more than 50 oil paintings, and during the exposition the attendees enjoyed the great performance of the violinist Lucy Chamsarian.

The exhibition will remain open until November 24,2018 from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

On the commemoration of the Armenian Genocide, Lena presented a painting called '24 April' depicting in a surrealism style the souls of those who were killed, as if they died in a prison. Lena visualizes Mount Ararat through the window, from where, the victims, the prisoners on the canvas hope to reach the outside light.

Lena explains that she started her paintings from the notion of the apple that Eve gave to Adam which later developed into a character in all her paintings. In one of her paintings, the apple symbolizes the grandmother who always sacrifices for the sake of her family. We stop at two interesting complementary paintings 'A point from time' (A) and 'A point of time' (B). Lena explains that time is crucial and passes by easily, and it must not be wasted. The bottle symbolizes the time and tears from time result in a mature woman.

Lena, born in Beirut 1972, is a pharmacist from Saint Joseph University. She has received special learning techniques in drawing and photography and has participated in several group exhibitions.

Combining two talents in one exhibition, Maral Panossian and Lena's joint exhibition was held at Diran Babikian Hall in Saint Hagop church in Ashrafieh. The opening ceremony was held on Friday December 3 on 8:00PM under the patronage of Prelate of the Armenian Orthodox Church Kegham Khatcherian. Lena, born in Beirut 1972 is a pharmacist by specialty. Lena has received painting lessons, specialized in painting techniques and has participated in several group exhibitions. She is a member of the Lebanese Armenian Artists' Association the 'Monday Forum', the 'International Art Gallery' in addition to the 'Lebanese Artists' Forum.

Lena has a vivid imagination, interesting perceptions that erupt from a stormy soul and are portrayed as mystic symbols. Lena has her own interpretation of abstracted characters. Lena proves to be a gifted artist. By perseverance and hard work Lena will definitely achieve great successes in her career.

Organized by the Administrative Council of Saint Hagop Church, a collective exhibition signed by painters Maral and Lena, was held in Diran Babikian hall, under the patronage of Archbishop Kegham Khatcherian, the Prelate of the Armenian Orthodox Church in Lebanon.

Lena presents a refined work of art, a discrete sensuality which is born with her passion for painting.

In front of the canvas, Lena pauses, attracted by the elegance of the palette in fine material and soon discovers how precise the painting is.

Her painting transforms from appearance into a personal expression wherein her excitement of painting is revealed.

Each element is now a symbol, and we slowly enter into the detailed artwork where the imaginary and real combine in a sensible writing as a reflection of the artist's inner life, questions, anxieties and dreams.

All colors and graphics are opened up in a multitude of potentialities starting on the same subject; the women in this case.

Material, light, projection of forms and graphics even to the level of geometric abstraction, the artist shows with jubilation the notes of color despite their density or lightness seeking each time, for a metaphorical epitome.

While exploring the forms and colors, Lena advances in recognizing between figures, dreams, and fantasy.

On December 3 2004, Lena opened her first individual exhibition in collaboration with her mentor Maral Panossian at Saint Hagop Church in Rmeil under the patronage of the Prelate of the Armenian Orthodox Church in Lebanon. The exhibition included more than 30 oil paintings that comprise and combine elements of symbolism and surrealism. Lena believes in the talent and the production capacity of an artist. In two years, she has produced what others couldn't in several years because Lena has hid her talents for a long period of time. She has loved painting from her childhood and has participated in several competitions and has always won, but her life has moved in another direction taking a scientific route. She has studied pharmacy and has used her artistic ability in her free times managing between her work and her obligations towards her family of two children. 'It's better to be late than never, 'she says and expresses her gratitude to the coincidence that created the opportunity to meet her teacher and mentor Maral Panossian in 2001. From that moment, Lena started to work passionately as if to compensate in a short period of time all the lost times of the past years. 'When I paint, I never feel the time passing, hours and hours pass by, and I never get bored.'

Lena revived her talent by learning, travelling, and studying different artistic styles. She admired Salvadore Dali's style but created her own and tried to escape traditional styles. 'If I was given the choice between my job as a pharmacist and painter, I would choose painting. It is a basic need for me. It is my escape of all times. Lena was lucky because she was able to support herself through her career as a pharmacist and to balance between her career and her love of art. Lena encourages and supports all gifted people and advises them to work hard on their talent because sooner or later, talent will be discovered and appreciated. She believes that artists should help each other, that is why she decided to donate all the income of the exhibition to Saint Hagop Church that hosted her first individual exhibition. Lena thanks the Armenian community that gave her the chance to showcase her works and supported her in her journey into the world of painting.

Isn't it a rare coincidence to discover scientific and artistic talents in one person? The vivid image of such a reality can be observed in a person who has successfully balanced between the two different worlds. In 1996, Lena has graduated from Saint Joseph University and holds a degree as a pharmacist. Now she manages her own pharmacy in one of the cities most crowded regions.

Mother of two, Lena combines between her family obligations, her work, and her passion towards art. Ambitious with a highly creative drive, Lena remains loyal to her love of art.

Lena has become a distinguished name in the world of art. In July 2003, during the 'Jabal 2003' exhibition, organized by Fransabank, Lena's drawings symbolized modern subject matters, and her characters were presented in unique expressions. In December 2003 and January 2004 Lena participated in an exhibition organized by 'International Art Gallery' in 'La Marina', thus once again winning the art loving publics' attention and appreciation.

Although Lena has recently entered the world art, but her creative works show daring attempts to create genuine visual solutions that will lead her to adopt a style of her own.

In all her paintings, we observe droplets which have almost become a signature. In her own words, 'droplets symbolize tears; these tears found in most of my works are sometimes tears of happiness and in other times, tears of sadness. The Droplet also symbolizes the birth; the birth of sadness, the birth of dreams, the birth of feelings, and the beginning of any psychological state which can be happy or sad.'

The surrealistic and the mystical mood of her works are also represented by the symbol of the woman. As Lena puts, 'art has created for me the chance to relieve different psychological moods, to relieve childhood, to relieve motherhood, to relieve grace, to relieve love, harmony, frustration…to represent the image of a woman in different roles means to transcend the borders of all individuals and to express feelings which belong to the whole, to all women.'

Lena believes that contemporary women, especially Armenian women, can make the impossible possible using their organizational talents, their perseverance, their will power, their time management skills, and by educating themselves. She adds, 'it's common and everybody knows it: 'Chercher la femme'.

The quality of art in Lebanon is below average and doesn't compete with international standards, and for this reason, more exhibitions must be organized and all kinds of artists must bring their participation which will enhance the quality of art in Lebanon. The Lebanese Ministry of Culture must build a special museum for contemporary art. As to the artist, the ministry must provide financial support to all artists and establish special centers to support each artist after his or her retirement which will help the artist excel in his or her work without the fear of an unknown future.

Lena (from Cornet Chehwan) is a pharmacist who came from the world of science to the world of art because of her passion towards art. Lena studied pharmacy in Saint Joseph University following a family tradition as her mother had studied pharmacy and her father was an engineer, but she never gave up on her dream to become an artist. Lena says that she has responsibilities towards her family (mother of two kids) and her work (owns a pharmacy and works for seven years), but she never hesitated to learn drawing especially after she met artist Maral Panossian who encouraged her and gave her special training. She was able to prepare 10 paintings to participate in the Souk Al Barghout group exhibitions, and also she able to participate in the 'Mount 2003' exhibition. She believes that it was an important step for her to display her works alongside with great talents to make her works known to the Lebanese.