An exhibition named “Gayane Is With Us…” dedicated to the memory of born into an Armenian family in Tbilisi, talented artist Gayane Khachaturyan, opened in the Calouste Gulbenkian Hall of the Hayartun Center at the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, on November 28, 2015. The event was held on the initiative of the Hayartun Center and the Union of Armenian Artists of Georgia, with the support of the “SHEN” Association. Though Gayane is not physically present, she is with us in spirit, through her oil paintings and graphic works, her photos taken in different years, her speeches and thoughts from dedicated to the talented artist TV programs that were heard in the hall. This was the purpose of the exhibition.

Meruzhan Shahumyan, the President of the Union of Armenian Painters in Georgia, spoke about the career of the rare artist, her boundless imagination and great power of generalization. He expressed his gratitude to Eduard Mesropyan, Gohar Mazmanyan, Susanna Khachatryan, Yesai Abovyan, Michael Avakyan et al, who contributed from their collections Gayane’s paintings to the exhibition.

Gayane’s works reflect her inner world, show the strength coming from within, ability to see everything and express her love and approach to everyone. Her artworks are acute; they capture the eye of the beholder and lead him to the vast expanses of his imagination. Gayane is sensible, her philosophical speeches urge the listener to reflect, analyze and are deeply convincing. Poet and translator Givi Shakhnazari, the Editor of the “Vrastan” Newsletter (“Georgia”) Van Baiburtyan, the President of the Union of Armenians of Georgia, Genrikh Muradyan, the actor of Petros Adamyan Tbilisi State Armenian Drama Theatre, Roman Matiashvili, poetess an translator Anahit Bostanjyan, photographer Yuri Mechitov, the President of the Union of Armenians of Tbilisi, Michael Tadevosov and others mentioned these distinctive characteristics while delivering a speech.

The artist was born in Tbilisi and spent her whole life in this diverse city with distinct flavor of life; the dynamics and rhythms of the city were Gayane’s muse. A talent for painting and the ability to work tirelessly she inherited from her parents, who came from Agulis. The great pride and love for Agulis, her motherland and nation were lifelong sources of inspiration for Gayane.

The Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan delivered a speech and gave his opinion. Referring to the Tbilisi school of painting, the Bishop mentioned eminent figures of this school that went down in history of centuries-old rich Armenian culture, one of whom was Gayane. The Bishop highly appreciated the event, commemorating the devoted daughter of the nation, and emphasized that Gayane with her faith, perception of the world and career is pride of our nation.

Gayane Khachaturyan created approximately 700 oil paintings and graphic works, which are kept at famous art galleries and in number of private collections around the world. More than 100 of her artworks are exhibited at the Georgian State Museum of Theatre, Music, Cinema and Choreography. Gayane Khachaturyan occupies an honored place, appearing on the list of the 50 most outstanding women of Georgia.