Mamikon & Ashot Mikayelyan

Brothers in life and art

• Twins Mamikon and Ashot have spent their lives together
• They have degrees in painting and sculpture
• They find inspiration in their own lives

Brothers Mamikon and Ashot Mikayelyan are painters, sculptors and jewellery makers from Gyumri, the second biggest city of Armenia and a great artistic hub, known as the birthplace of many artists. They are also twins – jevos in Armenian – and have adopted the word as their brand name. JEVO jewellery is made of silver, brass and copper, and incorporates different natural stones. The twins describe themselves as independent artists with no specific style. As they say, "Inspiration is never a problem, we get inspired by our own lives”.

Interview

©Narek Harutyunyan

©Narek Harutyunyan

What is your educational background?

We both went to Merkurov art school when we were seven, and later we went to the University of Arts in Gyumri, graduating from both the painting and sculpture department. We have always been together in our artistic journey.

Do you have a particular style or technique?

Mamikon: We don't have a specific technique or style. We have an independent approach to art. Ashot: We both are continually searching for new inspirations. We get inspired by our own lives.

Is there a particularly memorable moment in your joint career?

Ashot: The most memorable moment was when we decided to become artists. Our family decided we needed to study international relations, but we chose not to. Mamikon: I remember the times when we were studying in different rooms and we went to each other to plan for our future.

What would you advise young people who want to pursue art?

Ashot: You shouldn’t be afraid of experimenting; you shouldn’t just follow dogmas. Mamikon: They should have the courage to be successful in the arts. And the most important thing is to love your work.

Mamikon & Ashot Mikayelyan are expert artisans: they began their career in 2004

Works

©Narek Harutyunyan

©Narek Harutyunyan

©Narek Harutyunyan

©Narek Harutyunyan

©Narek Harutyunyan

Where