Sometimes, a work of art marks the beginning of an artist’s internal dialogue with themselves, the world or the Creator. Beyond shapes and color, sculpture and painting can materialize states of being, experiences and personal philosophies. Metal, stone and wood cease to be ordinary materials, transforming into human stories.
Sculptor Sargis Hovhannisyan’s work stands out because of these qualities and its unique style. He recently spoke to The Armenian Weekly about the silence in his workshop, his inner journeys and his connection to metal.
Roots and the first touches of sculpture
Although Hovannisyan was born in Yerevan, he says the spirit of historical Mush and Aparan flows through his veins. That is because his grandfathers originate from Aparan, while earlier ancestors migrated from historical Mush. These roots, along with the collective memory and significance of those places, have imprinted on his worldview.
His creative inclinations emerged early in life.
“Since childhood, at age 5 or 6, I started drawing and copying various pictures. I would make different objects out of plasticine [modeling clay], which brought me great joy,” he said.
Sargis attended the physics and mathematics track at the high school of the National Polytechnic University of Armenia. His love for sciences and logical thinking, which he developed while competing in academic Olympiads and learning from top teachers, ultimately shaped his unique approach to sculpture.
His radio engineering teacher played a particularly decisive role in his life. Through his classes and training, Hovannisyan mastered the fundamental skills of sculpture.
“I am more of a sculptor than a painter. I love working with natural materials — mainly metal, stone, a bit of wood, but my favorite material is metal,” Hovannisyan said.
His sanctuary and the endless string of ideas
For many artists, large and bright studios are a prerequisite, but for Sargis Hovhannisyan, a creative space is primarily an inner state of mind. The small corner allocated in the Hovannisyan family home, equipped with necessary tools and materials, is sufficient for him to turn concepts into reality.
For Hovannisyan, ideas never stop coming.
“There are always new works in my head, constantly waiting for their turn to be realized. The thoughts are there, and I begin creating them one by one; each is born as a new work in its own turn, suited to the given moment.”
Creative inspiration can visit Hovannisyan at the most unexpected moments. Random glances from passersby, human encounters, various life events, emotions while watching a movie or during cultural events become the nodes from which his sculptures are born.
Faith, exhibitions and constructive criticism
Hovannisyan calls himself a “faithful Christian.” His sculptures and canvases are also reflections of his faith and moral values.
“[Faith] plays a major role in my entire body of work. Through my work, I try to preserve and show a higher system of human values,” he said.
“There are always new works in my head, constantly waiting for their turn to be realized…”
Perhaps it is this spiritual foundation that imparts a special warmth and hope to his works, even when they express sadness or solitude.
Hovhannisyan has already presented his work to the public through two solo exhibitions. The first took place in December 2023 at the Naregatsi Art Institute, and the second in May at the Pyunik Development Center, where Sargis presented over 35 sculptures and around 30 canvases.
Hovannisyan values constructive criticism. He says his best critic is his closest friend Mesrop, whose candid opinion and perspective help Hovannisyan view his work from different angles.
“The Traveler”: A sculpture reflecting a person’s inner world
Each of Hovhannisyan’s sculptures has a story. For instance, the piece named “The Traveler” symbolizes the moments in life when external movements seem to no longer matter, and the internal journey becomes paramount.
The impulse to create that particular sculpture came from a chance encounter with a person he saw in real life:
“I had seen a person standing very sadly, suitcase in hand, feeling bewildered. That is when my sculpture ‘The Traveler’ was born. The traveler stands sadly with his burden, his suitcase in hand. He wants to go on a journey, but the issue is that he is traveling within himself, inside his own mind. And so he remains standing; he will stay until his inner journey ends,” said Hovannisyan.
The sculpture seeks to embody an aspect of human psychology and philosophy, forcing the viewer to pause and reflect on their own journey.
New Horizons: The clown series and future plans
Hovannisyan continuously searches for new forms and means of expression. Currently, he is working on a new series centered on clowns.
In world art, the figure of the clown has often been complex, blending laughter and sadness, an external mask and inner tragedy. The theme promises to evolve into an intriguing sculptural form through Hovhannisyan’s craftsmanship.
To follow Hovannisyan’s work, find him on Instagram.