Painting is ignored today
Only 8 000 drams... This is the sum Gevorg Sargsyan received for one of his paintings. The artist says he never bargains prices as there is little demand for paintings.
"The prices are usually determined by clients. They say how much they have with them and ask me to offer them something for the money," says the painter.
Painter Mesrop Danielyan, who is also selling paintings in the open-air crafts market (Vernissage) near the Statue of Saryan, says he is deeply attached to painting. The painter departs from his paintings with great difficulty but he has no other option to feed his family. It is already several years Mesrop Danielyan has been working as a watchman in order to earn his daily bread.
"I began to work as a watchman out of need, and today I have little time to devote to painting," he says.
Painter Galust Darbinyan sells most of his paintings outside Armenian and says 80 percent of his clients are foreigners.
The painters say high ranking officials and guests frequently visit them at the Vernissage to admire the showcased paintings. But never do they ask the painters about their concerns and problems.
"They say they are proud to have painters like us, that we are the best in the region... But these are only empty talks. Painting is the most neglected sector in Armenia," said Alek Alekyan.
