Marat Margarian

Marat Margarian (b.1969) is an Armenian artist who was born in the city of Gyumri. He studied at Panos Terlemezian Arts College, Yerevan and the Yerevan State Academy of Fine Arts, graduating in 1995.

Margarian is a survivor of the Gyumrian earthquake of 1988 and describes his art as a reflection of his determination to channel the struggles he experienced from the trauma into a passion for life.

The subject Margarian chooses for his art is trees, in various forms, species and styles. Deeply symbolic, these wonders of nature are an ideal platform for relaying his stories on emotive themes that range from love, optimism and hope to family bonds and unity.

Created in oils, Margarian’s trees are sometimes abstract or surreal and at other times realistic, positioned under a vast expanse of blue sky, in idyllic, fairy-tale-like settings. Instantly uplifting, they are often covered in spring blossom and edged with flowers in a palette of vibrant, bold colours or positioned in fields of lush greenery, evoking thoughts of new beginnings, hope for the future and fresh starts. In other works, trunks and branches are intertwined, bringing to mind the solace and comfort that can come from an embrace.

The titles that Margarian chooses for his works, which include ‘Power of Love’, ‘Tree of Light’ and ‘Protector of Flowers’ are closely and carefully aligned with their themes. In the artist’s own words: “I live in the real fairy tale of nature, where Art is Nature’s own voice, expressed by the man. The more faithful one stays to the nature within him, the more convincing and touching rings his art. As I sit in front of the canvas, a new world full of colours is revealed to me, a world full of childish laughter and bliss. From heart to heart - this is the only path of true creation, for me there is no art beyond emotion.”

Margarian’s work was exhibited in a high-profile solo show at Aramé Art Gallery, Beirut, in 2023, titled ‘The Infinite Faces of Nature’.

He has also taken part in many group shows internationally since first exhibiting his work in the early 1990s, including, most recently: Art Cairo (with Aramé Art Gallery) (2025); ‘On the Eve of Revival’, Aramé Art Gallery, Beirut (2024); ‘Symphony of Colours’, Etihad Towers Avenue, Abu Dhabi (with Aramé Art Gallery), (2024); ‘Time to Dream’, Aramé Art Gallery, Yerevan (2023); ‘Magical Transformations’, Kuwait City (with Aramé Art Gallery), (2022); ‘Masterpiece Show’, Aramé Art Gallery, Beirut (2022); Qatar International Art Festival (Best Artist Award), (2021); 10th Anniversary, Aramé Art Gallery, Beirut (2020); ‘Spring Salon’, Artists’ Union of Armenia, Yerevan (2020); ‘Symphony of Colours, Kuwait City (with Aramé Art Gallery) 2019); Beirut Art Fair (2019); ‘Daydreams on Canvas’, Aramé Art Gallery, Beirut (2019); ‘Contemporary Armenian Fine Art’, Kuwait City (with Aramé Art Gallery), (2019); World Art Dubai (2018); Beirut Art Fair (2018); ‘Reality of Bliss’, Aramé Art Gallery, Beirut (2018);  ‘Between Heaven and Earth’, Aramé Art Gallery, Beirut (2018); ‘Celebration of Dreams’, Aramé Art Gallery, Beirut (2017); Beirut Art Fair (2017); ‘Enchanted Reality’, Aramé Art Gallery, Beirut (2016); ‘Art Beyond Time’ book launch, Aramé Art Gallery, Beirut and Yerevan (2016); Armenian Masters of Contemporary Art, Silvana Gallery, California (2016); Spring Art Exhibition, AGBU, US (2016); and ‘Inner Lighthouse’, Beirut Souks (Aramé Art Gallery), Beirut (2015).

Margarian has been a member of the Artists Union of Armenia since 1995. He lives in Yerevan and has close connections with Beirut.