Gallery of Aslamazyan sisters

The Gallery of Mariam and Yeranuhi Aslamazyan Sisters (Armenian: Մարիամ և Երանուհի Ասլամազյան քույրերի պատկերասրահ) is a museum in Gyumri, Armenia, dedicated exclusively to the work of two pioneering Soviet-era female artists. Established in 1987, it holds the largest collection of the Aslamazyan sisters' paintings, prints, drawings, and ceramic works of any museum in the world, and it remains the only museum in Armenia named after and devoted to female artists. The gallery occupies a historic 19th-century mansion in the Kumayri historic district and serves as a significant cultural landmark, preserving the legacy of artists who broke conventions in the male-dominated Soviet art world through their modernist approach and vibrant international careers.

The gallery was established in 1987 by Mariam and Yeranuhi Aslamazyan themselves, who donated approximately 620 of their original works to create a permanent home for their artistic legacy. The sisters were born in Bash-Shirak (present-day Yerazgavors village in Shirak Province) in 1907 and 1910 respectively, into a family that valued education and modernity despite later hardships during dekulakization. Their father, Arshak Aslamazyan, was a flour mill builder who imported German technology, while their mother, Varduhi, actively supported their education and social emancipation. The sisters received their foundational training at the Alexandropol Painting School, the first art school in Transcaucasia, founded in 190 founding in 1905, before continuing their studies at the Yerevan Fine Arts College and subsequently in Moscow and Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg). They were recognized as People's Artists of the USSR and represented Armenia at numerous international exhibitions. Following the devastating earthquake of 1988, the building was temporarily repurposed as shelter for homeless residents, and the gallery did not reopen until 2004. The building itself had been protected by the government since 1980 as a historical and cultural heritage site, and the gallery is listed as an immovable monument of history and culture of Gyumri.

The gallery's collection comprises over 620 original works, encompassing paintings, graphic works, ceramics, and sculptures by both sisters. This represents the complete collection of their artistic output in these media, making it the most comprehensive holding of their work globally. The collection reflects the sisters' diverse training and international experiences, incorporating both traditional Armenian motifs and influences from their extensive travels. Mariam's works are distinguished by a flat decorative style applied to portraits, still lifes, and nature scenes, with particular attention to capturing the spirit and essence of objects, including beauty in everyday household items. Her later works addressed Soviet and post-war years from a personal perspective. Yeranuhi's work is characterized by restraint, delicate color passages, and ideological layers, with a focus on the human spirit and human values; she worked mainly in a realistic style across portraits, paintings, and still-life genre scenes. The collection also includes applied arts such as intricately designed bowls, dishes, and candlesticks. Beyond the Gyumri gallery, the sisters' works are held in numerous international museums including those in Sofia, Berlin, Leningrad (Saint Petersburg), Venice, Tokyo, Delhi, and London, and Mariam's works are also exhibited in the State Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow.

The gallery's holdings are organized across two floors: Yeranuhi's works are displayed on the first floor, while Mariam's occupy the second. Mariam Aslamazyan's oeuvre includes bold, sun-drenched canvases inspired by her travels to India and Africa, and her works devoted to India earned her the G. Neru laureate prize in 1970-1971 and the Hamal Abdenaser prize in 1976. A notable documented work is her 1973 portrait of Indira Gandhi, for which Mariam described being deeply impressed by the Indian leader's combination of feminine charm and strong will. Yeranuhi's works include lyrical portraits and still lifes, with pieces such as Yerevan, 1950 representing her characteristic intimate style. The sisters also collaborated on stage and costume designs for Russian theatres, created graphic works and illustrations for literary publications, and worked as costume designers on an Armenian film production. Their prolific careers spanned more than 50 years, during which they traveled and exhibited across Europe, Latin America, Asia, Africa, the Caucasus, and the Middle East, receiving numerous awards and medals for their art and cultural diplomacy.

The gallery is housed in a two-storey mansion at 232 Abovyan Street, constructed in 1880 by the Qeshishov (or Keshishov) family, wealthy merchants from Gyumri. The building is a striking example of 19th-century urban architecture in Alexandrapol (Gyumri's former name), representing a fusion of European and traditional Armenian architectural elements. Constructed from black tuff, it features a luxurious inner courtyard, a wooden balcony, and a typical tuff structure that exemplifies the Alexandrapol architectural style. The building was included in the Kumayri Museum-Reserve in 1980 on the list of state-owned historical and cultural heritage sites, and its distinctive architecture survived the 1988 earthquake. The inner courtyard and wooden balcony remain notable features that visitors can experience alongside the art collections.

The Gallery of Mariam and Yeranuhi Aslamazyan Sisters is located off the central square of the Kumayri historic district in Gyumri, at 232 Abovyan Street. It operates Tuesday through Sunday with opening hours from 10:30 to 17:00, and on Saturdays until 18:00. Admission for foreign visitors is AMD 1000, with free entry for children under 6. Local visitors pay AMD 700, with reduced tickets of AMD 300 for children, pensioners, and students. Guided tours in Armenian cost AMD 1000, while Russian or English language tours are AMD 2000; advance sign-up for excursions is required. The gallery functions as an active cultural hub, regularly hosting educational programs, art courses, workshops, and art therapy sessions for participants of all ages. These activities aim to promote creativity, art appreciation, and community engagement. The gallery also displays illustrated bowls, dishes, and candlesticks created by the sisters, available for visitors to view. As a state-protected cultural heritage monument, the gallery continues to serve its founding mission of preserving and promoting the legacy of these trailblazing female artists while functioning as a vital part of Gyumri's contemporary cultural life.