Opening reception 6.30 p.m.
Aren Bumants (Arutyunyan) 15 September, 1967 born in Stepanakert 1982-1986 attended the Terlemezyan Art School of Yerevan 1989-1994 attended the Yerevan Arts and Theatre Institute 1994 founded the 32nd Day Group in Moscow 1995 took part in the Malaya Gruzinskaya exhibition in Moscow 1995 the 32nd Day Group exhibits at the Dau Gallery, Horgen, Switzerland 1996 took part in the Quest for Brabion exhibition at the Central House of Artists, Moscow 1997 founded the Nur association in Moscow 1997 took part in the 6th International EuroArt Fair, Geneva 1998-2003 Nur association exhibits in Moscow 1999 auction ArtLink @ Sotheby's International Young Art, Tel Aviv, Chicago 2000 Manezh Art Salon, Moscow 2001-2003 ArtManezh, Moscow.

A son of a sculptor, Aren Bumants began with studying sculpture and after a while developed a preference for painting. Between 1982 and 1986 he studied decorative and applied arts at the Yerevan Arts and Theatre Institute, which he, however, left in less than four years because he had little use for academic painting taught there. Bumants initially did traditional oil paintings - primed the canvas and then placed colors in layers, but then developed his own method of multi-layer priming and has been using it to this day. His present style finally took shape in 1992. According to the artist, his national roots are responsible for the appearance of certain ornamental motifs and decorative symbols in his works: Bumants was born in Armenia and he absorbed the diverse forms of national art from his childhood. Karabakh carpets, medieval Armenian reliefs and world-famous Armenian miniatures were the main sources of inspiration for Bumants. Karabakh carpets are characterized by large size and distinctive ornamentation, in which large ornamental motifs with clearly outlined plant shapes fill the centre and the borders. Bumants never elaborates in detail the ornaments, which cover his works in a carpet-like fashion and brim over onto the frame. He merely outlines the main details and then, he says, his hand knows what to do. Bumants often follows the method employed by medieval miniaturists: he uses a ruler and dividers to make an original sketch, then outlines the main composition of his miniature with cinnabar or orche and finally covers some parts with gouache layers of varying thickness. His works are charged with incredible optimism. Bumants says that his works bring joy, feast and light. Bumants has developed his own technique - he uses special pipes to prime his canvas with pigments in relievo and thus attains extraordinary polychrome decorativeness. The priming is next scumbled with layers of oils. The same technique is used to make picture frames, to which the ornament overflows from the canvas. As time passed Bumants turned back to sculpture, likewise developing his own techniques, for instance, inlaying bronze statues with semiprecious stones and imitation enamel. His first sculpture was cast in 1996; now his friend, who owns a foundry in Israel, does casts for Bumants. His sculptural themes are diverse and include mythical and religious characters, such as an Angel trumpeting the victory of good over evil and various lyrical household scenes. His Seamstress, looking both amusing and cozy, comes from memories of his childhood, when his mother took little Aren along on her visits to Yerevan tailors' workshops. A father of two children, Bumants dedicates his works to them. His works seem to be intended to decorate some kid's room. "My art is lively and joyful," is how the artist formulates his creed.

Bowling 2001 70 x 60 Oil on canvas	Between Evening And Day 2001 80 x 70 Oil on canvas
Winner 2003 120 x 100 Oil on canvas	Walking With Elephant 2003 120 x 100 Oil on canvas
Girl With Cock 2003 80 x 70 Oil on canvas	Holiday 2003 90 x 70 Oil on canvas
Travel To Night 2001 100 x70 Oil on canvas
Angel 2003 62 x 41 x 33 sculpture, patined bronze and gilt steel inlayed with cornelian, cacholong, corundum (synthetic ruby), Afghan lazurite, original imitation enamel, malachite Pedestal, MDF fiber board, relief priming, oil scumbling	Seamstress 2003 63 x 32 x 37 sculpture, patined and silver-plated bronze inlayed with rose quartz, corundum (synthetic ruby), lazurite, chrysoprase, cacholong Pedestal, MDF fiber board, relief priming, oil scumbling
Sha-Ga
The Silver Day 2003 80 x 100 Acryl on canvas	Small Consert 2003 80 x 100 Acryl on canvas
Merry Christmas 2003 100 x 80 Acryl on canvas	Ribbon 2003 70 x 50 Acryl on canvas
Faith And Famous 2004 70 x 80 Acryl on canvas	On The Way 2004 60 x 70 Acryl on canvas
Day By Day 2004 50 x 60 Acryl on canvas	Near To The Heart 2004 50 x 60 Acryl on canvas
Mustard Bean 2004 60 x 70 Acryl on canvas