Raffi Tokatlian

B. 1957, Beirut

Raffi Tokatlian was raised in a family of Armenian artists, and he has emerged as a sculptor with remarkable talent. He is widely acclaimed as one of the finest figurative artists in the country. Despite the tragedy of his personal history, Tokatlian's artistic style is characterized by elegance and an underlying optimism. His three-dimensional works possess a captivating blend of mysterious surrealism and mythological poetry.

Growing up, Tokatlian was deeply influenced by his grandfather's stories of the Armenian genocide of 1915 and his own escape from Armenia. These narratives form the emotional core of his sculptural work. Both his grandfather and father were artists, and Tokatlian fondly recalls the days when the three of them would paint or draw side by side.

After studying at the Fine Art School in Beirut, Tokatlian moved to Paris in 1981, where he pursued studies in fine arts and interior design at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts. In 2008, he established his own gallery, 'Knowledge of Arts,' in Saifi Village, Beirut.

Tokatlian's sculptures have been exhibited in prestigious art destinations such as Los Angeles, New York, Venice, and Zurich, further cementing his reputation as an accomplished artist in international art circles.

About his Work

Inspired by 15th-century painters and influenced by surrealism, Raffi Tokatlian whimsically describes his artistic style as "Surrealmythoclassical." He draws upon a wide range of techniques, with a particular focus on the lost wax method of bronze casting and patinas. This mastery results in striking figures that simultaneously disturb and captivate the viewer. In this way, Tokatlian is truly an artist of his time, creating works that evoke a sense of loss and even devastation despite his forward-looking approach.

Through his sculptures, Tokatlian combines his artistic skills, life experiences, and profound respect for humanity. His creations are powerful and thought-provoking, celebrating themes of freedom, justice, and above all, spiritual love in all its manifestations.

Born from the realms of imagination and history, Tokatlian's sculptures inhabit a dual world where earthly and celestial elements, sensuality and torment, surrealism and reality, beauty and decay, war and peace coexist. They invite viewers to contemplate the complex intersections of these themes and explore the deeper meaning behind them.

Raffi Tokatlian

Recreation, 20--

Bronze, edition 1/5, 64 x 70 x 15 cm

Loan from Raffi Tokatlian