Annie Kurkdjian

Lebanese-Armenian artist Annie Kurkdjian paints figures that interrogate life, release tragedy, and express through paint the effects of war—insecurity, the noise created from bombs, the terror—all of which had marked the artist's childhood during the Civil War in Lebanon. Her work also reflects the trauma of the Armenian genocide felt through her grandmother’s history.

Kurkdjian lost her father at the age of twelve, at the same time in which her family were preparing to flee Lebanon for France. Suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Annie Kurkdjian searched for an outlet for her trauma. In 2005 she found it in art and started to exhibit regularly in France, Lebanon, Bahrain, and Jordan.

The artist's figures are portrayed in tortured positions, sober, sombre, tormented, yet powerfully conveying feelings, shedding light on war, on its atrocities,  on histories. Kurkdjian explores and interrogates life, memory, resilience and identity. Sharing through art, trauma, displacement and cultural heritage. Paintings engaging expression and into healing sentiments, as well as relaying important notions. 

Annie Kurkdjian's art will be on display in Paris at Menart Fair with Firetti Contemporary.