Girl from Oshakan 1986

Editor: This is Petros Malayan’s "Girl from Oshakan," created in 1987 using watercolor. The portrait's directness is striking, especially the girl’s pose. What can you tell me about this work? Curator: Well, viewing this piece through a historical lens, it is essential to acknowledge it was created during the Soviet era, yet it clearly flirts with nonconformist artistic expression. What societal expectations might Malayan be responding to? Consider, for example, the rural setting, the traditional clothing of the subject… what is the message being conveyed here? Editor: I hadn't considered the social context. So, her clothes...they suggest a connection to traditional culture perhaps? Is Malayan emphasizing something specific about Armenian identity? Curator: Precisely! In the Soviet Union, local traditions were sometimes simultaneously celebrated and suppressed. By focusing on a rural subject and seemingly simple, everyday life, Malayan potentially asserts cultural resilience in the face of homogenization. Note also the cow prominently featured...does it represent Armenia’s strong tradition of animal husbandry and pastoral life? What about the background: What stories do the simple rural village in the back suggest? Editor: That is intriguing. Now I see that by focusing on what appears ordinary, Malayan could actually be engaging in quiet resistance, underscoring the value of local culture. Thanks. Curator: Exactly. Think about how artists navigate prevailing ideologies through their creative choices. This piece, in particular, serves as a gentle but firm statement about identity and cultural perseverance. Hopefully, understanding the role the historical background plays helps appreciate the full depth of Malayan’s intentions. Editor: Absolutely. I will certainly remember this artwork when discussing Soviet-era art and Armenian cultural expression. Thanks so much for your insightful interpretation.