Resume

Missak Terzian is a distinguished Lebanese-American contemporary painter of Armenian descent, born in 1949. Known for his semi-abstract figurative and modern abstract expressionist work, Terzian has made a significant impact in the art world. Terzian began his artistic journey by studying at Ecole d’Art Guvder in 1968 and later graduated from the London College of Printing in 1971. His passion for art led him to hold his first major exhibition in 1984, which marked the beginning of his successful career. Since then, he has participated in an impressive 147 exhibitions worldwide. In 2017, Terzian underwent a gradual transition from semi-abstract figurative expressionism to modern geometric abstraction, showcasing his versatility as an artist. His remarkable paintings can be found in prestigious collections across Europe, the United States, Canada, Lebanon, Armenia, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and the Republic of China. Institutions worldwide proudly display Terzian’s works, and they are coveted by prominent art collectors. Terzian’s art can be seen in permanent displays at several esteemed locations, including the Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris, the Dubai Collection, the Bank of Sharjah head office, the Dalloul Art Foundation, the Mokbel Art Collection, the Bank Audi head office, the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia museum, the Haigazian University, the Sursock Museum, the Bzommar Museum, and the Lebanon Central Bank head office.
Driven by an innate and primal impulse to create, Missak Terzian seeks existentialism and strives to capture the essence of time and events through his paintings. As he puts it, “As a painter, I mark time with memories and baptize them with colors. Most of the time, it is nature that inspires me.”

 

Artistic Education

1969 Graduated from Guvder Art School, Beirut, Lebanon

1971 Graduated from London College of Printing, London, United Kingdom

 

Prizes

1967 1st. Prize of Jury Paul Guiragossian, U.J.A.C.,  Bourj Hamoud, Lebanon

1996 2nd. Prize at the 2nd Egyptian Print Biennale, Cairo, Egypt

 

Membership

1989 Member of Los Angeles Art Association, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

1997 Member the Sursock Museum, Beirut, Lebanon

2007 Member of the Contemporary Art Network, New York, U.S.A.

2008 Member the Lebanese Artists Association, Beirut, Lebanon

2013 Artblend, Artists Haven Gallery, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, U.S.A.

2013 Amsterdam Whitney Gallery, Chelsea, New York, U.S.A.

 

Gallery Representation

1987-1999 Galerie Epreuve d’Artiste, Beirut, Lebanon

1992-1993 Sherry Frumkin Gallery, Santa Monica, California, U.S.A.

2007 Stephanie’s Art Gallery, La Canada Flintridge, California, U.S.A

2009-2010 Noah’s Ark Gallery, Zalka, Lebanon

2009-2020 Alwane Gallery, Saifi Village, Beirut, Lebanon

2009-2011 Arts & Beyond, Sodeco Square, Beirut, Lebanon

2010- Present, Hamazkayin Lucy Tutunjian Art Gallery, Bourj Hamoud, Lebanon

2011- Present, Galerie Matignon, Horch Tabet, Lebanon

2013-2019 Artblend, Artists Haven Gallery, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, U.S.A

2013-2018 Amsterdam Whitney Gallery, Chelsea, New York, U.S.A.

2019-2021 Galerie Cheriff Tabet, D Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon

2024- Present, Karim Gallery, Amman, Jordan

 

Works on Display

– Mokbel Art Collection, Beirut, Lebanon

– Institut du Monde Arabe, Paris, France.

– Dalloul Art Foundation (DAF), Beirut, Lebanon

– Hamazkayin Lucy Tutunjian Art Gallery, Bourj Hamoud, Lebanon

– Galerie Matignon, Horch Tabet, Lebanon

– Artblend, Artists Haven Gallery, Ft.Lauderdale, Florida, U.S.A.

– Alwane Gallery, Saifi Village, Beirut, Lebanon

– Amsterdam Whitney Gallery, Chelsea, New York, U.S.A.

 

Artist’s Statement: Timeless Dream

As time controls us, I experience timelessness through my paintings. Deep in my creative world and submerged into classical music, only a wall clock in my studio or a phone call consciously shifts my focus of attention to time and existence.
So time does not have to control or define me. Time would definitely shape and limit my life, if I allow it.
I am not at the end of a process. I am the process, similar to the original force of cosmic explosions, unfolding and expanding forever. As long as I create, I become part to the energy of the universe beyond definition, evolving creatively and transforming art several more times, over and over.
To truly start to see my works as they are, you have to go into them. Be them. Feel them. My Soul is in every single brush stroke. Being who I am, I call into being the timeless light in every painting I create.
Dreaming is an embodiment of Creation which is the source of perpetual creating and therefore helps me give a meaning to my art. Art is more than an object-painting. It’s not just a thing. It’s hundreds of hours of failures and experimentations. It’s days, weeks and months of frustration and moments of pure joy. It’s a piece of my heart, part of my soul, a moment of my life. When my dream is transferred to you, you become part of it.
This is the true meaning of the Timeless Dream.

Missak Terzian

Artist’s Statement: Utopia Exhibition

Artist’s Statement, “Utopia”, June 2022
In 2017, I pivoted from semi-abstract figurative expressionism to modern geometric abstraction. It was a turning point in my career.
The shift can be attributed to my experiences at two of the world’s most extraordinary sights: Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah, and Faraya in Lebanon.
I marveled at Bryce Canyon’s huge and immersive amphitheater, home to the greatest concentration of “hoodoos” on earth.
Likewise, while off-roading in Faraya with Mr. Johnny Mokbel, I found myself struck with awe and inspiration over the millenary limestone rock formations, carved by wind and water over the centuries. I stood astonished by a chain of six hills 1900 meters above the sea level.
The Rock & Landscape series came to life on very large canvasses between 2019 and 2021. Large paintings, to me, are grandiose. You are in it. I characterize my paintings by minimalist or complex hard-edged compositions of shapes and colors. My 50 years of chromatic experience was stimulated to interact in primary, secondary and tertiary chromatic palettes, which made the journey more enjoyable. Each tone reveals a particular weight, density, and transparency.
My new collection consists of several series: Rock, Rock Variations, Kissing Rocks, Skyhill, Earthrise, Blue Diamond, Palm Tree and Olive Tree.