Face of the Moon, Anush Babayan, H: 33.75″

Description

In this enchanting painting, Anush departs from conventional portrayals of the moon as a passive celestial object, instead animating it with human qualities and mystery. Here a ghostly visage surfaces from the sphere at the painting’s center. Subtle lines, spectral curves and almost imperceptible patterns evoke the passage of cosmic time and silent observation. Muted silver-grays blend with cool blues, warm ochres and deep violets, suggesting both night and dream, space and memory.

Babayan also incorporates the Armenian letters H (“Hayastan” is the Armenian pronunciation of “Armenia”) and Q (the “CH” sound connoting “Christian”) to evoke Christian Armenia.  In recent comments on this work, she points out how Armenia was the first country to adopt Christianity as its state religion in 301 CE.

“This painting depicts the foundational values of my national Armenian culture: Faith in Christ and the Holy Land of Ararat,” Anush said. “It shows the light of love the moon sends to the Earth. This light, I think, brings love to the viewers of my paintings.”