Illustrations for "Armenian Wonderwoman" [2020]
A book about historical women of Armenia and Armenian descent, by Elmira Ayvazyan, Gayane Aghabalyan and Gayane Ghazaryan. This was a yearlong project during which I created many illustrations as one of the book's illustrators, representing the inspiring women of Armenian history.
Mariam and Eranuhi Aslamazyan - Two incredible artists from Gyumri, a place where I also grew up. They were remarkable and beloved Armenian artists of the Soviet era who broke conventions in the male-dominated Soviet visual art world.
Beatrice Ohanessian was an Iraqi-Armenian pianist, notable for being Iraq's first concert pianist and first female composer.
Zabel Asadour (born as Zabel Khanjian), better known by her literary pseudonym Sibil, was a famous Ottoman-Armenian poet, writer, publisher, educator and philanthropist.
Louisette Texier (born Arpine Hovanessian), was a French racecar driver and Resistance participant. She was one of the last remaining survivors of the Armenian genocide.
Varvara Sahakian, Katarine Zalian-Manoukian and Berjouhi Parseghian were the first three women elected to serve as parliamentarians during the First Republic of Armenia.
Zabel Yesayan was a prominent figure in the Armenian academic and political community. Her books, articles, and speeches cover a range of topics such as the Adana Massacre, Armenian Genocide, and commentary on the status of Armenian women.
Shushanik Kurghinian was an Armenian writer who became a catalyst in the development of socialist and feminist poetry. She is described as having "given a voice to the voiceless" and herself saw her role as a poet as "profoundly political".
Diana Abgar was a diaspora Armenian writer and humanitarian, who was appointed Honorary Consul to Japan of the short-lived First Republic of Armenia. She is the first Armenian woman diplomat and one of the first women to have ever been appointed in any diplomatic post in the twentieth century.
Sose Mayrig (born Sose Vartanian), was an Armenian female fedayee, the wife of famous hajduk leader Aghbiur Serob. She was surnamed "mayrig" (mother) by Serop's hajduks for her bravery and maternal concern for Armenian youth. She participated in the many fedayee battles.
Srpouhi Dussap was an Armenian feminist writer and the first female Armenian novelist. She was the sister of famed Ottoman Armenian politician Hovhannes Vahanian.
Aytsemnik Urartu was an Armenian sculptor. On her death, Urartu was buried at Yerevan City Pantheon.
Regina Tadevosi Ghazaryan was an Armenian painter and public figure. Known as a friend and benefactor of Yeghishe Charents, she is credited with saving many of the poet's manuscripts during the regime of Joseph Stalin.
Anush Babajanyan is an Armenian photojournalist and a founder of the women's photography collective, 4Plus. She is best known for her documentation of lives in the conflict zones of the Caucasus.
Lusine and Shamiram are members of the HALO Trust, and their day to day work is finding and removing dangerous explosives remaining in the minefields and places of battle in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh). Their and others' bravery and dedication help limit the amount of dangerous and often fatal accidents.
Thank you!
