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Kegham Tazian
"Draped Figure" Sassafras & Bronze, Figurative Sculpture, 1982

1982

About the Item

"Draped Figure" is a beautiful example of Tazian's ability to meld the smooth texture of wood and the hard texture of bronze into an exquisite object to view, hold or caress. The piece balances perfectly on its stone base and can be easily turned to enjoy from all angles. Like architects Eliel Saarinan and Albert Kahn and sculptor Corrado Parducci, Tazian is an immigrant creative who has found a home in the city, nurtured by its energy and sheltered by its community. He developed an early ambition to become an artist, even though he had very little exposure to the arts. ““The only person [who encouraged me] was my 5th grade English teacher, Olivia Balian,” he says. “She really opened the doors of art for me. She said, ‘Those students who are interested in art can stay behind after school and I will show you how to paint and draw.’ Somehow [that] changed my life– she gave me that spark.” Tazian came to the U.S. to study at St. Francis College in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He earned a bachelor’s degree in art and a Master’s in Art Education, and then earned and MFA in sculpture from Wayne State University in Detroit. Kegham Tazian is an award-winning sculptor and painter. The Armenian-born artist has gained notoriety for the diversity of his work and the variety of media exemplified in his pieces. A blend of modernism, realism and abstraction are commonly depicted in his paintings and sculptures. His artwork has been represented in more than 40 solo exhibitions and more than 75 group exhibitions throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and the Middle East. His work adorns the entrances and halls of major corporations, universities and municipalities, including Siemens Corporation, Huntington Bank, Wayne State University and the city halls of Farmington and Farmington Hills, Michigan. Tazian is the recipient of several prestigious awards and honors, including the International Artists in Watercolor Award in London, England. In 1995 he was named the Farmington Area Arts Commission Artist-in-Residence. Tazian’s paintings and sculptures have also appeared in books and national publications such as Art News and American Artist. Tazian’s artwork can be found in numerous private collections worldwide. Most recently, Tazian’s sculpture was featured at the prestigious ArtPrize competition in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Tazian is Professor Emeritus at Oakland Community College in Farmington Hills. He began his teaching career at OCC in 1967, serving as Chairman of the Art Department for six years and as Director of the Smith Theatre Art Gallery for over 25 years. He retired from teaching in 2014.
  • Creator:
    Kegham Tazian (1938)
  • Creation Year:
    1982
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 25 in (63.5 cm)Width: 4 in (10.16 cm)Depth: 4 in (10.16 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    Detroit, MI
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU128616004872

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