Artist who fled Ukraine showcases work at Liverpool Arts Bar

An artist who fled Ukraine when Russian tanks rolled into the country is set to showcase his work in a new solo exhibition in Liverpool.

Georgian-born Aram Manukyan is currently living in Wirral with his wife after they quit their home of 11 years in 2022.

His work will be on show at Liverpool Arts Bar in Hope Street from May 5-7, ahead of the city hosting this year’s Eurovision on behalf of Ukraine.

The 58-year-old, whose father was a metal artist, studied at Tbilisi Academy of Arts’ faculty of painting, and later spent seven years in St Petersburg where he attended the Stieglitz Academy.

Manukyan has always worked in several styles and genres, and the main feature of his experimental painting now focuses on the abstract form.

He often uses dense applications of paint with several overlays to create pure 'volumetric' colour, and adds: “Colour and shape are always inspiring, but sudden ideas are what inspire me the most.”

During his career he has exhibited all over the world, while his work is featured in private collections in Ukraine, USA, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Austria, Israel, Georgia, and Armenia.

In 2011, he moved to Ukraine after friends told him it was a ‘great place to practice as an artist’ and spent more than a decade there before Russia invaded the country in February last year.

The venue’s curator Laura McCann explains: “With Eurovision coming to the city we wanted to support an artist who had been directly affected by what is happening in Ukraine.

"We firmly believe in artists supporting artists, and we’re absolutely honoured to be showcasing Aram’s work.”

Aram Manukyan’s works are on show at Liverpool Arts Bar in Hope Street from May 5-7, noon to 5pm each day.