The Struggles of Artsakh’s Artists in Exile
# The Struggles of Displaced Armenian Artists from Artsakh
## The Loss of Home and Heritage
Displacement is a painful experience, but for artists, losing both their home and their creative space can be especially devastating. This is the reality for many Armenian artists who were forcibly displaced from Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) following Azerbaijan’s military offensive in 2023. Among them is Arnold Meliksetyan, a 76-year-old painter and sculptor, who now struggles to continue his art from a cramped basement in Yerevan, Armenia, far away from the homeland he was forced to leave behind.
Like Meliksetyan, over 120,000 Armenians fled Artsakh under dire conditions after a 10-month blockade of the Lachin Corridor — the only road connecting the region to Armenia. Without access to food, medicine, or basic supplies, the residents endured a humanitarian crisis before ultimately being forced out. Now, they face ongoing difficulties in Armenia, including housing, employment, and legal issues. However, the struggles of artists, who must not only rebuild their lives but also protect their cultural identity, often go overlooked.
## Artsakh’s Cultural Erasure and the Artists’ Dilemma
Artsakh’s rich cultural heritage is indisputably under threat. Various reports and satellite images show Azerbaijan methodically destroying Armenian churches, settlements, and historic sites. The Azerbaijani government’s actions have led organizations like the Center for Preservation of Artsakh Culture in Yerevan to scramble for resources to protect what remains of Artsakh’s artistic and cultural legacy.
For artists like Meliksetyan and others, their own artwork has been part of that heritage, and many lost valuable pieces during their forced displacement. Some, like Meliksetyan, managed to save a few sculptures and paintings with the help of friends, but many had to leave their life’s work behind. The emotional toll of abandoning one’s art is indescribable.
“It’s like abandoning your own child,” he told *Hyperallergic*. “You stand there, looking at your creations, and you’re forced to decide which to take and which to leave behind. I can’t forgive myself for that.”
For self-employed artists, there remains a gap in funding and employment, even as some artists have been placed in temporary cultural programs. The struggle is not just about survival—it’s also about continuing to create.
## The Fight to Keep Art Alive
Despite their hardships, displaced Armenian artists continue to create, finding solace and purpose in their craft. For Meliksetyan, art is not just a profession—it’s his way of processing trauma and reconnecting with his identity. Even from his small basement room, he paints, though lacking a proper studio or the resources necessary for sculpting.
Similarly, Artsiv Lalayan, an artist displaced from Artsakh, has experienced multiple forced migrations, first from Hadrut to Stepanakert after the 2020 war, and then to Ayntap after Azerbaijan’s total occupation of Artsakh. He and his wife, fellow artist Tatev Amirjanyan, now struggle to create under the same cramped roof where they live with their five children and extended family.
Amirjanyan reflected on the challenges of creating art in such dire circumstances:
“During the blockade, when you can’t find food to feed your children, it’s hard to think about painting.”
Despite the difficult conditions, she and Lalayan continue to paint and sculpt, refusing to let their artistic spirit die.
## Art as a Testament to Survival
For most displaced artists, the situation remains precarious. Financially, many are struggling to sell their artwork and sustain themselves. Some artists have left Armenia for Russia due to these difficulties, a painful reality for those who recognize Russia’s historical role in manipulating and abandoning the Armenian people.
However, exhibitions such as Lalayan’s recent showcase at the *Narekatsi Art Union* in Yerevan demonstrate that these artists are still finding ways to share their work and keep their cultural heritage alive. Though Meliksetyan has yet to hold an exhibition of his own, he continues to create with the same passion and dedication.
Even in exile, Armenian artists from Artsakh are determined to preserve their identity through art. Their resilience is not just an individual struggle—it is a battle to keep Armenian culture alive in the face of attempted erasure.
As cultural institutions and advocacy groups call for more support, one thing is clear: the artists of Artsakh are not giving up. Whether painting in a cramped basement or sculpting in a borrowed space, they continue their work—ensuring that despite the loss of their homeland, their art, and their voices, will never be silenced.