Hand-Carved Natural Felsite Stone Sculpture of Khachqar - Ancient Khachqar

Artisan Organization: Ruben and Karen Ghazaryan

Country: Armenia

"I am Ruben Ghazaryan and my brother is Karen. We both studied at the University of Knowledge in Yeghegnadzor, where I initially pursued the general physical fitness section before switching to painting and drawing. My brother also studied painting and drawing. We received an offer from the leader of our diocese to showcase Armenian art, specifically cross-stone carving. We extensively studied the works of ancient master artist Momik to acquire the necessary skills. Momik's works have become a significant influence on us, forming part of our artistic legacy.

"We utilize traditional techniques such as hammers, drills, calipers, etc. I handle the design and painting process, drawing from the ancient Armenian art of ornamentation while adding my own style. Our works exclusively feature felsite stone, and we source it from the same location where Momik once procured the material to build Noravank, a 13th-century Armenian monastery. Felsite possesses unique properties that allow us to create various intricate carvings. It is a sedimentary formation with an age of 35-40 million years, and sometimes we discover sea animal fossils within the stone during our work. We draw inspiration from the richness of Armenian culture, and our pieces are always original and never replicated. We wholeheartedly believe in passing down our artistic identity to future generations, making a meaningful contribution to their personal development.

"Our studio is strategically located in a prominent tourist center. This positioning contributes to the development and dissemination of our culture. We create our works on-site, showcasing the cultural heritage associated with our region to tourists. Additionally, we offer master classes and collaborate with various tourist organizations. In our studio, we also exhibit original works from other talented artists.

"I am married and have two children. I envision their future immersed in the world of art. It is important to acknowledge the challenging circumstances posed by the coronavirus pandemic and the war, both of which have resulted in irreversible losses. I actively participated in the war, and the lessons it taught me have emphasized the importance of cherishing every moment of life.

"Our parents provided us with all the necessary tools for a well-rounded education, shaping us into individuals who contribute positively to society and our homeland. The values our parents instilled in us enable us to be good individuals, proud Armenians, caring fathers, and above all, ambassadors of our sacred Armenian culture to the world.

"Our friends describe us as honest, friendly, and talented individuals. They take pride in our ability to revive and reconstruct fragments of the ancient Armenian culture. We consider ourselves ordinary people with a dream to live on our native land and achieve the extraordinary.

"We express our gratitude to Novica for providing us the opportunity to showcase our works. We also extend our appreciation to our buyers, as it is thanks to them that we have been able to carry out our artistic endeavors in Armenia and share them with the world over the past ten years. Our buyers have allowed us to discover the uniqueness of different cultures, serving as an endless source of inspiration and motivation.""