Still-life with pating brushes 1953

Mariam Aslamazian painted this still life of her painting brushes among colorful textiles in the Soviet Union, though the specific date of its creation is unknown. Aslamazian and her sister Yeranuhi, also a painter, were celebrated artists in the Soviet Union, representing Armenian culture within the larger USSR. In this intimate view of the artist’s studio, Aslamazian’s use of vibrant colors in the draped fabrics contrasts with the simple clay vase holding her brushes. An orange sits unobtrusively to the side, a pop of color that draws the eye. It's hard not to feel the joy Aslamazian found in her work as a painter. Aslamazian developed a distinct style that blended folk art elements with socialist realism. Through her still life, we can feel the convergence of personal expression, cultural heritage, and political ideology that defined artistic production during the Soviet era. Aslamazian shows us that even in the stillest of scenes, history is at play.