Jersey City, NJ
About Mher Khachatryan:
Armenian born and New York based artist Mher Khachatryan known as The Smoke Artist, always had an interest in the beauty of the smoke and fire, the life and death. He escapes the limits of the real world through his art.
As a youth, Mher studied in Yerevan at Art school of Hakob Kodjoyan. However, he began private art lessons a lot earlier, at the age of five. The Smoke Artist has earned his BFA in drawing and painting at the Art college of Panos Terlemezyan at the age of 16 and MFA at the Academy Of Fine Arts at the age of 20 in Yerevan, Armenia.
Mher is an honored member of Artist’s Union of Armenia. Khachatryan’s work can be found in Armenian national gallery, the work "My Angel" is dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.” Also in private collections in Armenia, Russia and in the USA. The Artist was invited to solo show in United Nation's Headquarters on World NO Tobacco day (May 31st, 2017) to bring awareness to the danger of smoking.
Mher Khachatryan has been published on Who is Who and Wikipedia.
The smoke Artist’s work has been published in magazines and newspapers- Fox LA, US Weekly, OK magazine, Metro UK , Star, National enquirer, Radar, Never forget, Art takes Time Square, Miami talent Magazine, Art Creation, KC Artist, Art things in Northeast, The Pitch…
As a smoke artist, my work delves into the ephemeral nature of existence and our profound connection to the universe. Using oil paint on canvas, predominantly white paint on black canvas, I seek to capture the essence of our unity and the delicate threads that bind us to the cosmos.
The choice of white on black is deliberate, symbolizing the stark contrast and inherent balance in life. The black canvas represents the vast, infinite void of the universe, while the white paint embodies the purity and fragility of human existence. Through my brushstrokes, I attempt to portray the fleeting moments of connection that we experience, much like smoke dissipating into the air, yet leaving an indelible mark on the soul.
My art is a meditation on the interplay between light and darkness, presence and absence. The swirling, ethereal forms I create are not merely abstract; they are a visual representation of the unseen energies that permeate our lives.
In a world that often feels fragmented and disconnected, my work serves as a reminder of our inherent unity. We are all part of a larger, cosmic tapestry, interconnected and interdependent. Through my art, I invite viewers to contemplate their place in the universe, to recognize the beauty in transience, and to embrace the interconnectedness of all things. And yet, I believe that my paintings are mirrors where the viewer sees what's inside them, hence our eyes are not only viewers but also projectors.
Selected exhibitions
- Gerald Ford Presidential Museum - Grand Rapids MI, 2024
- Gerald Ford Presidential Museum - Grand Rapids MI, 2018
- United Nations - Manhattan NY, 2017
- Gerald Ford Presidential Museum - Grand Rapids MI, 2017
Education
- Academy of Fine Arts , 2000-2003 (Masters) - Yerevan, Armenia,2003
- Panos Terlemezyan , 1998-2000 (bachelors) - Yerevan, Armenia,2000
- Hakob Kodgoyan Art school , 1994-1998 (degree) - Yerevan, Armenia,1998
Press Accolades
- https://www.yahoo.com/news/armenian-born-painter-immortalizes-children-083000573.html - September 18, 2024
- https://www.foxla.com/news/the-smoke-artist-honors-9-11-firefighters-with-art - September 10, 2021
- https://www.woodtv.com/news/artprize/final-20-entry-pays-tribute-to-9-11-victims/ - September 13, 2018
- https://www.woodtv.com/news/artprize/artprize-10-artist-explains-inspiration-behind-jesus/ - October 2, 2018