Ara A. Harutyunyan is an outstanding sculptor, master of monuments and graphics (born in Yerevan, March 28, 1928–1999) – People’s Artist of Armenian SSR, corresponding member of Academy of Fine Arts of USSR and Russian Federation, board member of the Union of Artists of USSR, professor. Thanks to his God-given talent and obsession with his work he managed to raise Armenia’s artistic culture into a principally new level, bring new way of thinking and fundamentally different sculptural and graphic ideas into the fine arts of XX century. 

The significance and scales of the master's creative heritage can’t be overestimated. He is the author of more than 40 sites, monuments and sculptural and architectural ensembles that adorn the streets, squares, parks, cities of Armenia, Russia, France, Italy, Moldova and many other countries. In his works Harutyunyan has embodied the aesthetic and civic values of his time. The monument “Mother Armenia” has become a symbol of Armenia. A famous explorer of art A. Kamenskiy notes its dominance and city-forming role in the architectural ensemble of Yerevan. The monument to the great ashug Sayat-Nova has fit into Yerevan’s image for ever; this monumental drinking fountain is the most loved and recognized by the citizens. The image of the decorative sculpture called “Lioness” in Geghard has now become the logo of a famous Armenian cognac brand Great Valley. Compositions of monumental drinking fountains are poetic and decorative, one of them which is called “Friendship between Yerevan and Carrara” was erected in Marina di Carrara, Italy. His sculptural works dedicated to the hero of the anti-fascist French resistance movement Misak Manouchian in Paris suburbs called Ivry-sur-Seine, to the 89th soldiers of the Armenian Taman Division in Sevastopol (Crimea), to those who died in the Great Patriotic War in the battles for the liberation of the city are significant and extraordinary.
In 1982, according to V. Tseltner, the sculptor incarnates “the most attractive heroic image” (the monument “Glory to Labor”). It is a mighty and impetuous in movement figure of a workman that has become the epitome of the power of human spirit.
The outstanding muralist-master is also the ancestor and founder of the architectural sculptures in Soviet Armenia. Among them is the biggest complex dedicated to the victory in the Sardarapat Battle of 1918, a distinctive architectural sculpture immortalizing the heroes of Musa Ler. Having taken the path of synthesis of the arts, he has created a sculptural decoration of the “Erebouni” museum’s facade and sculptural ensemble of Armenian Academic Drama Theater named after G. Sundukyan (parterre of the theater, a monument of the playwright G. Sundukyan, “Sirin” bas-relief).

ARA HARUTYUNYAN MANAGED TO IMPLEMENT NUMEROUS CREATIVE IDEAS.
The artist’s easel sculpture heritage is extremely extensive and versatile. He dedicated his artworks to working people, which are “Winegrower”, “Winner”, “Builder”; created generalizing symbolic images, such as “Youth”, “Country of Nairi”, “Collapse of Ani”, “Thais”. Portraits of People’s Artists of the Armenian SSR hold a special place in his works, among them are Frunzik Mkrtchyan and Sos Sargsyan, his daughter Susanna, poet Vahagn Davtyan and singer Lusine Zakaryan, musician Z. Saakyants, Hero of the Soviet Union and test pilot R. Kaprielyan, the first female President in the history of Philippines and Asia Corazon Aquino.  For the creation of Philippine President Corazon Aquino’s bright and deep image the sculptor was awarded the medal of “Friendship of Peoples”.

Ara Harutyunyan was a brilliant master of drawing. His personal exhibitions in Moscow, Yerevan and many other cities have been a great success, and along with his sculptures always demonstrated his graphics. The exhibitions were usually held in the best halls of the country. Featured in the halls of the Russian Academy of Arts and the Central House of Artists in Moscow the expositions of his works were highly praised by artists, art historians, and wide audience.

The leading art critics of those years such as A. Kamenskiy, V. Tseltner, G. Knabe, R. Abolina, I. Ivanova, A. Strigalev, S. Kaplanova, B. Zurabov, M. Ayvazyan, S. Orlov and many others wrote about Ara Harutyunyan.

Harutyunyan’s works are represented in the collections of many art museums throughout the world: the State Tretyakov Gallery (Moscow) and the Russian Museum (St. Petersburg), Museum of Oriental Arts (Moscow) and the Art Gallery (Moscow), Armenian National Picture Gallery and Museum of Fine Arts of Kirovakan.

For many years Harutyunyan has been successfully working in Yerevan State Art and Theatre Institute. As a gifted teacher, he passed his secrets to many generations of young sculptors that became recognized in Armenia and beyond its borders. Even during his lifetime he used to be called a Master; around him there always were people for whom communication with him became an unforgettable event. His philosophical worldview and gift of foresight, depth of reflections on art topics and a man's place in life, talent of narration, artistry and charm, and finally his bristling temper and positive energy surely gathered a lot of people around him. Ara Harutyunyan used to say: “The main source of my art is fantasy. It’s a world of images, symbols, associations connected with nature. The artist’s apprehension of form lies in his appeal to nature”.
Patriotism, love towards Motherland and nation were not just words for Ara Harutyunyan. He loved his country. He believed sincerely that he lived on the most beautiful and greatest land.

Once Harutyunyan had written wonderful words about his friend who was an artist; these words can be at the same time attributed to his own life: “He was a singer of the country of sun and stone, a person who did so much for our people, born not to enjoy the gifts of life, but to create, to give all his energy, all the creative talent to people...”
S. Harutyunyan, Ph. D., Orientalist

Ara Harutyunyan remains the number one sculptor in Armenia. Art critics, art historians such as V. Tseltner, A. Kamensky, G. Knabe, B. Zurabov, M. Ayvazyan, R.Abolina, S. Kaplanova, S. Orlov highly appreciated the scale and artistic significance of his heritage.

“Architectural and sculptural solutions of his works define the pictorial expressivity of modern Yerevan, the language of its symbols and historical associations,” – writes an art historian A. Kamensky (Destiny and characters. Tvorchestvo. 1983. 7).

“The Art of Ara Harutyunyan is primarily a balanced, undisturbed unity. He is one of those artists who have defined the direction of art quests and stated the new ideals of art in the actual creative practice,” – claimed V. Tseltner, chief art critic of the Central House of Artists. (Ara Harutyunyan's World of Art. Art. 1983. 12)

“The artist had the gift of mentally penetrating into the destinies of people, nations, into the atmosphere of the recent and distant historical epochs. The images of Eastern mythology came to life in his sculptures. He could artistically, unrepeatably implement the ancient Eastern traditions of monumental art. He created his own colorful, original style. Harutyunyan is an artist of wide creative range. Mastery, high emotional aspiration, indomitable energy, originality of thought can be felt in all his works,” – says a corresponding member of the Russian Academy of Arts, art critic Sergei Orlov (A memorial evening of Professor A. Harutyunyan. The portal of modern Russian sculpture. Moscow Sculptors Union).

Ara Harutyunyan said: “There is always an inner need to create in a man. An artist does not make plans, but has dreams that he is aiming to fulfill. I think that an artist, a creator never gets old, as well as the essence of great art – an undying truth”.
“These words are full of deep meaning, – says B. Zurabov, Doctor of Arts. – It is all about Ara Harutyunyan, an inspired person, loving life and people; a person who dedicated his art to people” (B. Zurabov. Monograph “Ara Harutyunyan”. 1982).

“Only a great master can merge in his art admiration for the cultural treasures of past, sense of rhythm of the modern life and admiration of the human beauty” (S. G. Kaplanova. “Ara Harutyunyan”. M., 1968).

Ara Armenovich Harutyunyan was born on March 28, 1928 in a family of musicians (Yerevan, Republic Armenia). Died on February 28, 1999 in Yerevan.

1943–1948 – studied at the Yerevan Art College named after F. Terlemezyan.
1948–1954 – studied at the Yerevan State Institute of Fine Arts.
1952 – received the prize of the Ministry of Culture of the Armenian SSR for the project of the monument to Anani Shirakatsi.
1955 – was admitted to the Union of Artists.
1955–1966 – gave lessons at the Yerevan Art College named after F. Terlemezyan.
1957 – was awarded a bronze medal for the sculpture "Portrait of a student" at the 1st Republican Youth Festival in Yerevan.
1959 – had a guided tour around Europe.
1964 – was awarded a silver medal of the Academy of Arts for the monument "Sayat Nova” in Yerevan. Also was awarded a title of the Honored Artist of the Armenian SSR.
1964–1967 – was elected as a member of the Presidium of the Union of Artists of the Armenian SSR.
1965 – creative visit to Italy due to the participation in the 4th International exhibition of sculptures in Carrara.
1967–1968 – worked on the monument “Mother Armenia”.
1969 – the architectural sculpture “Battle of Sardarapat” was nominated for the USSR State Prize.
1970 – was awarded a Diploma of the Union of Architects of the USSR for the reliefs on the building of the Museum “Erebouni” in Yerevan. Was awarded the medal “For valorous job” to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of V. Lenin.
1971 – creative visit with a group of USSR Academy of Arts. Was awarded the title of Honored Artist of the Armenian SSR.
1974 – creative visit to England in the group of the Union of Artists.
Since 1974 – gave lessons at the Yerevan State Academy of Arts.
1977 – was elected as member of the Union of Artists of the USSR. Awarded the title of People’s Artist of the Armenian SSR.
1977–1978 – creative visit to France due to working on the creation of the monument to Misak Manouchian.
1979 – worked on the creation of the portrait of the People’s Artist of the Armenian SSR Frunzik Mkrtchyan.
1981 – was awarded a medal “Badge of Honor”.
1982 – was elected as a member of the board of the Union of Artists.
17.03.1988 – was elected as a corresponding member of the Academy of Arts of the USSR, Russian Federation. Was confirmed in the rank of a professor.
1988 – creative visit to Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines. Worked on the portrait of the President of Philippines Corazon Aquino. Was awarded a medal of “Friendship of Peoples”.
1988 – worked on the creation of the monument to Komitas, set in a park of the Yerevan State Conservatory after Komitas.
1989 – worked on the portrait of the violinist Zareh Sahakyants.

Post mortem
26.11.2013. Creative memorial evening of Ara Harutyunyan in the Russian Academy of Arts.

03.11.2014. Grand opening of the sculpture studio named after Ara Harutyunyan at the Academy of Fine Arts, Yerevan.
24.03.2015. Personal exhibition of Ara Harutyunyan as part of government measures dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in the temple complex of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Moscow, entitled "Subject of genocide in the artistic heritage." The exhibition was organized by the Russian and Nor Nakhichevan Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
22.09.2015. Personal exhibition of Ara Harutyunyan within the reception of the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in Russian Federation, dedicated to the Independence Day of the Republic of Armenia, Moscow.

The participation in exhibitions
1950. Republican art exhibition devoted to the 30th anniversary of the establishment of Soviet power in Armenia. Yerevan
1953. Republican art exhibition. Yerevan
1954. Republican art exhibition. Yerevan; All-Union Exhibition of graduate works of art institutions’ students of the USSR. Moscow
1956. Exhibition of Fine Art of the Armenian SSR (to the decade of Armenian art and literature in Moscow). Moscow
1957. Jubilee Art Expedition of the Armenian SSR dedicated to the 40th anniversary of the Great October Socialist Revolution. Yerevan; All-Union youth exhibition dedicated to the VI World Festival of Youth and Students. Moscow; Exhibition of works of Soviet artists. Beijing
1958. Exhibition of works of young artists from Transcaucasian republics. Tbilisi
1960. Jubilee exhibition of the Armenian Soviet art, dedicated to the 40th anniversary of the establishment of Soviet power in Armenia. Yerevan
1962. Republican art exhibition. Yerevan
1963. Exhibition of four Artists of the Armenian SSR. Yerevan
1964. Republican art exhibition "Our young contemporaries" Yerevan
1965. Exhibition of Fine Arts of the Armenian SSR (to the decade of Armenian art and literature in Bulgaria). Sofia, Plovdiv
1968. Exhibition of Fine Arts of the Armenian SSR (to the decade of Armenian art and literature in Kazakhstan). Alma-Ata
1969. Exhibition of fine arts of the Armenian SSR (to the Days of Armenian culture in Moldova). Chisinau; Republican art exhibition dedicated to the 100th anniversary of Komitas. Yerevan
1970. Jubilee exhibition of the Armenian Soviet art, dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Soviet power in Armenia. Yerevan; Jubilee exhibition of works of the Armenian SSR artists, dedicated to the 100th anniversary of VI Lenin. Yerevan
1971. Republican Exhibition of one work of Armenian artists. Yerevan; Exhibition of paintings of artists from Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan (to the 50th anniversary of the USSR). Moscow
1972. Exhibition of works by Soviet artists from 15 republics called "Anniversary Spring" dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the USSR. Yerevan, Moscow
1973. Republican art exhibition. Yerevan
1975. Republican art exhibition "30 Years of Victory", dedicated to the victory of the Soviet people in the Great Patriotic War of 1941 - 1945. Yerevan
1976. Republican exhibition of one work of Armenian artists. Yerevan; Republican art exhibition "Glory to Labor". Yerevan; All-Union art exhibition "Glory to Labor". Moscow
1977. Republican graphics exhibition. Yerevan; Jubilee exhibition of works by artists of Armenia, dedicated to the 60th anniversary of the Great October Socialist Revolution. Yerevan

1980. Republican art exhibition dedicated to the 110th birth anniversary of V. Lenin. Yerevan; Anniversary Exhibition of the Soviet Armenian art, dedicated to the 60th anniversary of the establishment of Soviet power in Armenia. Yerevan.
1982. All-Union art exhibition “Our Homeland USSR” dedicated to the 60th anniversary of the USSR. Moscow; Republican art exhibition “Our Homeland USSR” dedicated to the 60th anniversary of the USSR. Yerevan; All-Union Art Exhibition “Artists for people”. Moscow; Personal exhibition. Yerevan.

1983. Large-scale solo exhibition in the Central House of Artists (CHA). Moscow; All-Union exhibition “Sculpture – 83”. Moscow; Republican exhibition dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the Union of Artists of Armenia. Yerevan.
1984. Republican art exhibition “Earth and people”. Yerevan; All-Union art exhibition “Earth and People”. Moscow; Exhibition of Armenian artists. Berlin, Vienna.
1985. Exhibition “Art of Soviet Armenia”. Moscow.
1995. Personal exhibition in the halls of the Academy of Arts of the USSR, Russian Federation.

Post mortem
11.26.2013. Creative memorial evening of Ara Harutyunyan in the Russian Academy of Arts.

03.11.2014. Grand opening of the sculpture studio named after Ara Harutyunyan at the Academy of Fine Arts, Yerevan.

24.03.2015. Personal exhibition of Ara Harutyunyan as part of government measures dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in the temple complex of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Moscow, entitled “Subject of genocide in the artistic heritage”. The exhibition was organized by the Russian and Nor Nakhichevan Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

22.09.2015. Personal exhibition of Ara Harutyunyan within the reception of the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in Russian Federation, dedicated to the Independence Day of the Republic of Armenia, Moscow.

17.11.2017 - 24.11.2017. "Sun in Stone" - Personal exhibition of Ara Harutyunyan. State central museum of contemporary History of Russia, Moscow, Russia.

31.03.2018 - 10.05.2018. "Monumental vision" -  Personal exhibition of Ara Harutyunyan. Cafesjian Center for the Arts, Yerevan, Armenia.