Join Forest Lawn Museum for a monthly artists talk featuring "Convergence: Contemporary Artists of Armenian Descent" artist Aroussiak Gabrielian and moderators Dr. James Fishburne and Kaloust Geudel.

ABOUT AROUSSIAK GABRIELIAN:

For the past several years, AROUSSIAK GABRIELIAN has been developing design prototypes that question the role humans will play in the environmental future. Her work encourages new habits and rituals to promote cooperation, respect, and care. Rather than offering quick technological fixes, she asks how design can reshape and strengthen our sense of responsibility during a time of ecological crises. Deploying natural systems, living organisms, and elemental matter as active agents in design, her practice questions assumptions of human exceptionalism and expands what counts as intelligence, agency, and collaboration. By foregrounding the vitality of soil, water, plants, fungi, and atmospheric systems, she provokes new relationships and practices of interdependence that move away from extraction and exploitation and toward reciprocity and shared survival.

ABOUT THE EXHIBITION:

“Convergence: Contemporary Artists of Armenian Descent” is on view at the Forest Lawn Museum through August 9, 2026. From bold experiments in abstraction to thought-provoking conceptual installations, “Convergence” features the work of more than twenty artists who push the boundaries of traditional mediums and challenge conventions with their daring visions. The exhibition does not attempt to cover the entire spectrum of Armenian narratives. Rather, its cohesive element is the heritage of the featured artists. With diverse backgrounds—ranging from those born in the United States to immigrants from various regions—these artists contribute individual perspectives to their work. Defining Armenian identity is inherently complex. It encompasses a sense of belonging that surpasses simplistic definitions, rooted in historical connections that often evoke profound and abstract emotions.

“Convergence" is curated by artists Alina Mnatsakanian and Kaloust Guedel, in collaboration with James Fishburne, Director of Forest Lawn Museum.

The exhibition features work by Martiros Adalian, Rouzanna Berberian, Tina Chakarian, Aroussiak Gabrielian, Charles Garabedian, Sophia Gasparian, Liana Grigoryan, Kaloust Guedel, Charlie Hachadourian, Alex Hedison, Armineh Hovanesian, Narine Isajanyan, Gegam Kacherian, Farrah Karapetian, Nina Katchadourian, Bari Luis, Sossi Madzounian, Ara Mgrdichian, Alina Mnatsakanian, Hagop Najarian, Arshak Nazarian, Ara Oshagan, Larisa Safaryan, Aram Saroyan, She Loves Collective (featuring Adrineh Baghdassarian, Ani Nina Oganyan, Mari Mansourian, Rouzanna Berberian, Taline Olmessekian, Nairi Bandari, and Armineh Hovanesian), Alysse Stepanian, Gagik Vardanyan, Harry Vorperian, Zadik Zadikian, and Zareh.

Image credit: Installation view, “Convergence: Contemporary Artists of Armenian Descent,” March 21–August 9, 2026. Forest Lawn Museum.

Forest Lawn Museum is located at 1712 S. Glendale Ave, Glendale, CA 91205. Enter the main gate and proceed up the hill. Follow signs to the museum, which is located at the top of the hill. Admission and parking are free.