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Yanina Mirzoyan

Yanina Mirzoyan

Each piece I create tells a story of my heritage, my experiences, and my belief in the healing power of art.

"I am Yanina Mirzoyan, born in Hadrut. Growing up surrounded by the picturesque landscapes of the Caucasus Mountains, I... was immersed in a rich cultural environment that inspired my love for art from an early age. My journey into the world of art began formally in 2005 when I entered the Applied Arts Department at the Stepanavan Art Institute, named after Stepan Gurdjian. During my four years there, I explored various artistic mediums, ultimately specializing in painting. I graduated in 2009 with a unique style that blended traditional Armenian motifs with contemporary techniques.

"Upon graduation, I started my career as the supervisor of beadwork groups within the fashion theater at the Hadrut Children's and Youth Creative Center. This role was a wonderful opportunity for me to share my passion for art with young people, helping them discover their talents and use art as a form of self-expression. Working with children and young adults, I found immense satisfaction in guiding them through the creative process and witnessing their growth in confidence and skill. The Creative Center became a second home, a place where I felt I was making a difference.

"However, in 2020, my life changed dramatically due to the 44-day war. My family and I were forcibly displaced, leaving behind our home and everything we had built in Hadrut. We relocated to Yerevan, where I faced the challenge of rebuilding my life from scratch. During this difficult period, I turned to beadwork, a skill I had developed and refined over the years, as a way to cope with the trauma of displacement and as a source of income. My beadwork, which combines traditional Armenian patterns with modern designs, became a form of storytelling—a way to express my memories, emotions, and the experiences of loss and hope.

"The support and encouragement I received from the community motivated me to continue creating and sharing my art. I began participating in exhibitions across Armenia, where I showcased my beadwork and connected with people who had gone through similar experiences. These exhibitions were not just commercial opportunities but spaces for healing and building new connections. Through them, I found a sense of belonging in my new surroundings and discovered the power of art to bring people together.

"My beadwork gained recognition for its unique fusion of traditional and contemporary elements, and I was invited to more exhibitions, craft fairs, and cultural events. These opportunities allowed me to expand my creative practice, experiment with new materials, and refine my techniques. As my work evolved, it began to reflect not only my personal journey but also the collective experience of my community—those who had been displaced, those who were rebuilding, and those who found comfort in creativity.

"Looking back, my journey has been shaped by both joy and hardship. From my early days in Hadrut, discovering my passion for painting, to my studies at the Stepanavan Art Institute, and my work at the Creative Center, every step has played a role in shaping the artist I am today. The war and displacement were incredibly difficult, but they also taught me the value of resilience and the importance of holding onto one’s passions in the face of adversity.

"Today, I continue to create and live in Yerevan. My beadwork has become a reflection of my journey—a blend of loss and renewal, memories of home, and the hope of new beginnings. Each piece I create tells a story of my heritage, my experiences, and my belief in the healing power of art. I am grateful for the opportunity to share my work with others and to connect with a community that values creativity and resilience.

"As I look to the future, I am excited about the possibilities ahead. I remain committed to exploring new techniques, learning from others, and using my art to tell stories of hope, strength, and the beauty of my heritage. The journey continues, and there are many more stories to tell through my beadwork."
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