Hanqavan tulips and pink flowers 1974

Here, Mariam Aslamazian used paint on canvas to create ‘Hanqavan tulips and pink flowers’ using a restrained colour palette, with bright oranges and muted pinks dominating the work. The way she applied the paint, in thick, visible strokes, reveals an artmaking process that is direct and confident. Aslamazian's painting is all about the surface, the texture, and the way the colours vibrate against each other. The orange of the tulips is so rich and saturated; it almost feels like you could reach out and touch them. The paint is applied thickly, giving the petals a sculptural quality. I love the way she captured the essence of each flower with such simplicity and immediacy. Notice how in the centre of each flower there is a dark mark that almost draws you in. This is a common trope used by Picasso, and later by Elizabeth Murray. Aslamazian’s bold and vibrant works remind me of Matisse, with their joyous celebration of colour and form.