Sevan. Fisherman 1964

Petros Malayan painted ‘Sevan. Fisherman’ in 1964. Looking at those heavy black outlines, I can just imagine Malayan, sleeves rolled up, bending over the canvas, wrestling with those lines and blocks of colour, trying to pin down the weight and presence of those fishermen. I feel like I’m right there with him on that shore, squinting at the dark clouds gathering, smelling the lake. It feels like he’s not just painting what he sees but trying to capture something deeper - the toughness and resilience of these guys, their connection to the land and water. The paint is applied in flat, bold areas, but it is the dynamism of line that animates the composition with feeling. Notice how each stroke communicates intention and meaning. Painters are always talking to each other across time and space, aren’t they? I'm wondering how Malayan was thinking about other painters and their marks? It's a reminder that painting isn't just about pretty pictures; it's about trying to make sense of the world, one brushstroke at a time.