9-11 is my largest and most important work. I Thought about painting 9-11, but never felt as strongly about it until visiting the memorial. I saw the remaining of the towers, the fire truck. I heard the audio of people who left messages to their loved ones for the last time… I knew I was ready to paint 9-11. I painted 2977 candles – 1 candle for each victim. There is the Fire truck which is in the museum. There is the famous wall street the day of the attack, and the ruins of the buildings. Firefighters helping each other, they are devastated but not broken, they raise the American Flag to show the world – you destroyed our towers but you can not destroy our soul. This painting is about the attack but also recovery, so we see airplanes crashed, then in the middle of the painting we see the aftermath, the devastation but also a hope for tomorrow… Left of the painting is the Memorial and the rebirth, remembrance and respect to the victims of 9-11 and the Great city of NY.
The Smoke Artist
Mher Khachatryan
Armenian born and New York based artist Mher Khachatryan's interest is the beauty of the smoke and fire, the life and death. He escapes the limits of the real world through his art.
As a youth, Mher studied in Yerevan at Art school of Hakob Kodjoyan. However, he began private art lessons a lot earlier, at the age of five. Mher earned his BFA in drawing and painting at the Art college of Panos Terlemezyan, and MFA at the Academy Of Fine Arts in Yerevan, Armenia.
Mher has won many awards and he is an honored member of Artist’s Union of Armenia. Khachatryan’s work can be found in Armenian national gallery, the work "My Angel" is dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.” Also in private collections in Armenia, Russia and in the USA. Mher's work been exhibited in United Nation's Headquarters on World NO Tobacco day (May 31st) also in many galleries and art fairs like Art Expo NYC, Spectrum FL, SCOPE FL and many more.
Mher Khachatryan’s work has been published in magazines and newspapers- US Weekly, OK magazine, Star, National enquirer, Radar, Never forget, Art takes Time Square, Arvestagir, Agos, Sobranie, Golos ,Armenii, Miami talent Magazine, Art Creation, KC Artist, Art things in Northeast, The Pitch… In addition to his incredible talent as an contemporary artist, Mher Khachatryan is the founder of Cre8sart school (www.cre8sart.com). He shares his passion for art by teaching kids and adults. M. Khachatryan is CEO and founder of Art to Thank (www.arttothank.org) 501c non-profit organization. Art to Thank honors those who fought for our freedom.