The exhibition titled “Arshile Gorky: New York - Yerevan: A New Acquisition” has officially opened at the National Gallery of Armenia. The Government acquired the world-famous American-Armenian artist's graphic work “Untitled” (1944) at an international auction, which is an important contribution to the replenishment of the national collection.

RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, ESCS Minister Zhanna Andreasyan, Mayor of Yerevan Tigran Avinyan, members of the Government, and Deputy Minister Alfred Kocharyan attended the event.

Congratulating on the occasion of World Art Day, Minister Zhanna Andreasyan noted that the date holds special significance for several reasons: on this very day last year, the National Gallery reopened following a nearly four-year renovation, for which the state allocated over 800 million drams.

“This created an opportunity to reopen the permanent exhibition and present to the public works of art that had not previously been displayed. Last year, on the day of the gallery’s reopening—which coincides with International Art Day and the birthday of Arshile Gorky—the gallery exhibited a small work by Gorky that had been bequeathed to it in 1974, as a symbolic tribute to the legacy of our great painter. I am pleased that, exactly a year later, we have the opportunity not only to honour Arshile Gorky symbolically but also to mark his birthday with the acquisition of a highly significant work for the gallery.

The opportunity to transfer this work to the gallery was created through the state’s museum acquisition program. Through ongoing monitoring of international auctions by the Cultural Development Foundation, it became known that one of Arshile Gorky’s works was to be offered at the prestigious Sotheby’s auction. As a result of targeted state support and policy, with an allocation of more than 30 million drams, we now have the opportunity to enjoy one of Gorky’s significant works. This acquisition will also enable the public to become better acquainted with one of the Armenian artists who left perhaps the most enduring artistic legacy and international reputation,” said the Minister.

As stated by Zhanna Andreasyan, last year the state allocated over 330 million drams for the acquisition of cultural values ​​for various museums. The Minister expressed confidence that this year will also be summed up by returning new cultural values ​​to Armenia, which will find a place in Armenian museums, returning to the public the opportunity to communicate with our cultural heritage and values.