Art reigns supreme
- Mels worked as head designer at Enkeboll designers
- His first commission was to make wooden Armenian letters
- He runs wood carving masterclasses in his beautiful studio
Mels Yeghiazaryan, the master craftsman, is a vital link in the chain of Armenian master woodcarvers․ Mels' carvings range from traditional Armenian cross-stones to wooden doors, mirrors, chairs, and cabinets. Being fascinated by wood art, he left his degree in Economics to pursue a career in the Arts. He found his own language to work with wood and considers himself to be his own teacher. He remembers fondly that for his first job, which was making wooden Armenian letters, he was paid for it with a car. Mels worked as the head designer for Enkeboll Designs for nearly a decade, a Los Angeles-based firm specialising in custom architectural woodcarving, where his designs continue to be reproduced. He currently lives in Armavir, Armenia, and offers apprenticeships in woodcarving and traditional Armenian calligraphy.
Discover his work
INTERVIEW
I never liked the profession of an economist. I have always admired the arts and my father taught me to make everything with my hands. Later, I became my own teacher by exploring and experimenting with different techniques.
Everything that is Armenian relates to my art: the alphabet, the music, the lifestyle of different regions, dialects, costumes, manuscripts, and more. In my work, there are many details of Armenian adornments and calligraphy.
The creation of my wooden letters, which are still in the House of Writers in Tsakhkadzor, a small town in Armenia. I have always been fascinated by letters and it was my first paid job, I was paid with a red Lada car, which I still remember.
Though I worked as a head designer in Enkeboll Designs, a Los Angeles-based firm specialising in custom architectural woodcarving, I wanted to come back to Armenia as I have a deep connection with this place.
