“They Left Their Home Behind, Number 4

20”x20”

Mixed media

2024

Photo credit: Mary Asatryan

This work is part of my series Beyond the Mass, a mixed-media, two-layered, three-dimensional wall piece. The top layer represents elements that evoke a sense of home and belonging—motifs from my routine life, such as Kazakh rugs, blankets, and sheets. These familiar patterns embody identity and personal history.

Beneath this layer, viewers see their own reflection in a mirror, but within it, they also glimpse the displaced people of Artsakh who were forced to flee their homeland in September 2023. The photograph, credited to Mary Asatryan, captures their reality.

This body of work invites viewers to shift their perspective—both physically and emotionally—to uncover the hidden story within. It aims to create a moment of pause, even discomfort, urging us to reflect on the experiences of those who are often reduced to mere numbers, statistics, or fleeting news reports.

The Rug (Installation)

46”x30”

Oil painting on Canvas, Yarn on plexiglass

2024

This installation features an oil painting on canvas depicting an Armenian rug, accompanied by a hanging piece made of yarn.

This piece reflects my Armenian identity. The underlayer features a representational image of a rug, while the top layer, which mirrors the rug’s exact shape, carries its colors but lacks a defined form or motif. This contrast raises questions about identity—what remains, what continues through generations, and what might eventually fade.

Artist Website

AUTHOR:

Dalar Alahverdi

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They Left Their Home Behind and The Rug