Sarkis Hamalbashian was born on 12 January, 1956 in Gyumri, Armenia. In 1975 he graduated from Panos Terlemezian Fine Art College in Yerevan, and The School of Fine Arts in Gyumri, Armenia.. Since 1978 he participated in national and international exhibitions in Yerevan, Japan, Germany, including solo exhibitions in London and Los Angeles. His paintings are displayed in the Modern Art Museum of Armenia and in private collections around the world.
In the 1980's he emerged as one of the leading young artists who began to challenge Soviet norms. His work carried the imprint of the Italian early Renaissance, Russian iconography, the Russian new avant-garde, Armenian miniature painting and current developments in post-modern art in Armenia. During the post Soviet period, Sarkis emerged as one of the most important artists working in Armenia.
Group Exhibitions
- 1998 Art Expo, New York, USA
- 1998 "On the eve of the 21st century", Artists' Union, Yerevan, Armenia
- 1997 "Works on Paper", Charlie Khachatrian Gallery, Yerevan, Armenia
- 1997 "Dreams and Visions", Art Benefit, Chicago, USA
- 1997 London Contemporary Art Fair, London, UK
- 1997 The Arsenal, Metz, France
- 1996 Palais de Justice, Poiters, France
- 1996 Municipal Gallery, 6th Arrondisment, Paris, France
- 1995 "Stream of Fire", Agios Andreas Old Market, European Cultural Month, Nicosia, Cyprus
- 1995 "Armenia - The Rediscovery of a Land of Ancient Culture", Bochum, Germany
- 1994 "Artists of Armenia and the Diaspora", Cite de Beaux Arts, Paris, France
- 1993 "Four Contemporary Armenian Artists", Gloria Gallery, Nicosia, Cyprus
- 1992 "Contemporary Armenian Artists", University of Kassel, Kassel, Germany
- 1991 "Third Floor", The Artists' Union, Yerevan, Armenia
- 1991 "Contemporary Art from Armenia", The New Academy Gallery, London, UK
- 1990 "Young Soviet Artists", The Avant-garde, Kassel, Germany
- 1990 "Modern Soveit Painting", Galleria da Praca, Lisbon, Portugal
- 1990 Gallery Express, Moscow, Russian Federation
- 1989 "Artists & Works of Art", Finland, Helsinki
- 1988 "Young Artists of USSR", Moscow, USSR
One-Man Exhibitions
- 1997 AUX Gallery, Yerevan, Armenia
- 1996 Galerie la Hune, Paris, France
- 1992 The New Academy Gallery, London, UK
Catalogues
- 1995 "The Rediscovery of a Land of Ancient Culture", Bochum, Germany
- 1995 "Stream of Fire - New Art from Armenia", Nicosia, Cyprus
- 1994 "Artists of Armenia and Diaspora", Paris, France
- 1990 "Young Soviet Artists - The Armenian Avant-garde", Kassel, Germany
- 1990 "Contemporary Art from Armenia", London, UK
- 1989 "Artists & Works of Art", Finland, Helsinki
Public Collections
- Museum of Modern Art, Yerevan Armenia
- The Perren Collection, Los Angeles, USA
- Cultural Fund of USSR and the Republic of Armenia