Artist Sirak Melkonian’s life and legacy celebrated at the Aga Khan Museum

TORONTO–On Oct. 26, a heartfelt celebration of life was held at the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto to honour the legacy of Sirak Melkonian, a visionary artist and prominent figure in both the Iranian modernist movement and the Armenian community. Organized by the Sirak Melkonian Estate and Foundation, the event gathered guests, art lovers, and members of the Armenian, Iranian, and art communities to pay tribute to a life dedicated to creativity and cultural impact.

The program included remarks by Ani Konaraki, Melkonian’s daughter-in-law and director of the Sirak Melkonian Foundation, who shared insights into Melkonian’s enduring influence and legacy. Melkonian’s two sons, Ara and Armen offered personal reflections on their father’s life and legacy.

Sarig Babian, representing the Hamazkayin Toronto Klatsor chapter, acknowledged Melkonian's mentorship and contributions to Toronto’s Armenian art community. She spoke about his role as a dedicated teacher to a generation of amateur artists and reflected on his steadfast encouragement of all his students to view themselves as true artists. She ended her remarks by sharing that Sirak was the physical embodiment of Hamazkayin’s true mission statement: the appreciation, encouragement, and fostering of Armenian art and artists.

A short documentary highlighting Melkonian’s artistic journey from his early figurative work to his acclaimed abstract and topographical pieces was screened.

This Toronto tribute followed a recent commemoration in Tehran on September 25, 2024, held at the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art (TMoCA) as part of the museum's “One Work, One Session” program. In Tehran, Melkonian’s painting was presented and analyzed by renowned figures, including veteran painters Gholamhossein Nami and Hassan Mourizinejad, alongside art critic Abdolbassir Hosseinbor, demonstrating the impact of his work on Iran's art community. The Tehran ceremony underscored Melkonian’s formative influence in Iranian art, tracing back to his mentorship under Marcos Grigorian, a prominent Iranian-Armenian modernist, who encouraged him to study in Italy and explore modern European art.

Sirak Melkonian was born in Tehran in 1930 and is celebrated as a pioneering figure in modern Iranian art. Over his career, Melkonian exhibited in over 140 exhibitions worldwide, with works held in collections such as the Niavaran Palace, TMoCA, and LACMA. In Toronto, he became an integral part of the Armenian community, leading the Hamazkayin Klatsor chapter's art workshops and nurturing the next generation of artists. ֎

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This article was published in our Dec. 2024 issue.

Photo: Sevag Haroutunian