New show curated by Tamar

Opening Reception: Thursday, May 15, 6:00-9:00PM

“Nobody sees a flower – really – it is so small it takes time.”—Georgia O’Keeffe

Flowers are a key motif in the works of several artists of the modern era such as Manet, Van Gogh, Georgia O'Keeffe, Warhol, and Jeff Koons. Today they continue to inspire many contemporary artists.Endless Inspiration features works by five Long Island City artists who depict flowers in several mediums: oil painting, watercolor, photography and ceramics. The exhibition covers a range of artistic approaches in which flowers are intensified, sexualized and personalized. In Jaime Arredondo’s Gotas de Amor, the image of the flower covers almost the entire surface of the 54 x 54” canvas. It is powerful and sensual with its wide open petals and delicate beads of water. Laura Bell's Perennial captures the artist’s personal observations on the unending march of nature. Her work reminds the viewer to see the continual cycles of human history. It is almost impossible not to view Wendi Gueorguiev’s ceramic pieces as intensely sexual sculptures. The implementation of feminine and masculine forms feels natural for some works like the Orchid while in others, like the Spring, it is provoking and acute.In Barbara E. Leven's photography, the close-up images reveal qualities of a flower that are not easily traceable to the untrained eye. The rainboworchid translates the artist’s perception of nature and beauty.In the works of Sam Seawright flowers are employed as forms of communication and self-expression of personal and universal emotions. Musk Rose & Hanbane is a monumental and romantic piece with its oversized flowers painted with sharp lines on a soft tinctured background. Each artist has been inspired and has communicated their vision through a flower. We all see flowers differently, and I invite you to find your inspiration in them.Since its opening on October 25th, 2005 Art-O-Mat, a community-run gallery in Long Island City has organized eighteen exhibitions celebrating community artists.

Art-O-Mat L.I.C.
46-46 Vernon Blvd.
Long Island City, NY 11101

The Armenian Reporter about the exhibition

Unfortunately the link to this article is not available anymore. Please click on the images to read the article.

The Opening Reception of The Exhibition, October 4, 2007

***Artist Lara B., Anet Abnous, Taleen Berberian and Tamar Chester

Tamar & Anet the exhibition curators***





Anet Abnous with artist Lynne Dian Gulezian***


***Anet & Tamar with artist Nora Chavooshian


Tamar with artist Arpie Genetian Najarian***

***Artist Armine Sargsyan

























With artist Hilda Ekmekciyan Witherspoon***
With artist Barbara Yeterian***



Getting ready for the show

Art Talk and Discussion, October 6, 2007

On Saturday, October 6th, some of the participating artists gathered at the Village Quill to talk about their art, the exhibition and about Armenian Culture in general. It was nice that even few people that were there that day just to see the exhibition were really interested in the discussion and stayed to join us. They were very glad to have the opportunity to ask questions and hear answers from the artists themselves.

Artist Hilda Ekmekciyan Witherspoon

Artist Marsha Nouritza Odabashian

Artist Taleen Berberian

The Poetry Reading on October 5, 2007

The Armenian Weekly wrote about the poetry reading. Some of the poems are published too. The PDF of the newspaper is on the APP's blog.



On Friday, October 5th, The 1st Armenian Women’s Art Exhibition hosted a program of Armenian Contemporary Poetry, organized by Lola Koundakjian. Armenian and English works were read by a diverse group of authors. Most of these poets are published and/or have appeared in the Armenian Poetry Project, a program that disseminates Armenian Poetry through the internet and iTunes. Please visit: http://www.armenian-poetry.blogspot.com/

Lola Koundakjian