Community Profile: Masha Keryan - Navigating Identity, Memory, and the Armenian Spirit Through Art

As part of its ongoing mission to preserve and promote Armenian identity, culture, and resilience, the Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR) proudly celebrates the efforts of notable Armenian artists who channel our history, trauma, and hope into powerful expressions of creativity. 

Visual artist Masha Keryan exemplifies this spirit. Her latest exhibit, "What Happens After,"  explores themes of memory, displacement, and cultural survival—values that deeply align with FAR’s commitment to fostering strength and renewal within the Armenian community, both in the homeland and the diaspora.

Through her art, Keryan navigates the complexities of displacement, cultural identity, and the human condition, offering a poignant reflection on the interplay between personal history and collective experience. "What Happens After" is currently on display through May 30 at 1832 Gallery in LabCentral, located in Cambridge, MA. The exhibit is part of the recently established Armenian Heritage celebration in the Commonwealth of MA.

The Armenian Journey

FAR: What do you want people to take away from your artwork, whether they know about the events of the early 20th century or what’s happening now in Artsakh?

Masha Keryan: I don’t have many answers —I have questions. This exhibit began with a question: "What happens after?" The exhibit begins with a painting titled “Get Dressed, We Got A Lot To Do” completed in 2020, a few days after the end of the 44-day war. Between the first painting and the last 35th one titled “We Are Fine”, I’m asking questions and searching for solutions.  I’m interested in finding ways out rather than focusing on the problems and the odds."

So the process of creating this exhibit was about taking one step at a time, getting closer to some kind of answer. It’s important to remember that no matter how chaotic or frightening the world may seem, we are going to be fine. It's all part of the experience. Holding onto that belief allows us to create something positive and meaningful.

FAR: How do you see this exhibition relating to your past work? It feels like a progression.

MK: Since the war in 2020, my reality was completely shattered. My innocence was ripped away. Previous generations faced similar moments—wars, the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the 1988 earthquake—but for me and my peers, the Artsakh war was the big blow.

For five years, I’ve been working to redefine my reality—not from a place of oppression or loss, but from a place of growth. I think many of us are doing that, not just artists. I have the privilege of analyzing what’s happening inside me: Am I acting out of fear, or out of love?

FAR: Resiliency is a central theme of many of the projects at FAR. How does resiliency fit into your work and life?

MK: It’s essential because the future of my history is at stake. There’s no time to sit still and look back for too long. Knowing and respecting your history is important, but what matters most now is imagining and working toward the future we want to see. Every small step counts.

FAR: Do you find yourself having to explain your Armenian heritage to others? Does it help them connect to your work?

MK: I love hearing other people’s stories, especially from different cultures. If people ask, I do tell them. For me, being Armenian is something you show—it’s the warmth, the hospitality, the kindness. Even when someone visits my studio, I welcome them like family, with food and conversation. That spirit is something I hope people feel before I even explain it.

Taking Cues From Historical Armenian Art

FAR: Your exhibit includes elements of medieval Armenian art. How did that come about?

MK: I’ve always been fascinated—and a little intimidated—by medieval Armenian art. For this show, I decided it was time to take on the challenge. Armenian medieval manuscripts are rich with humor, personality, and symbolism. A librarian at the  Boston Public Library once told me Armenian manuscripts are quirky compared to the more formal Celtic or British ones. Humor has always helped us survive.

As a contemporary artist, by engaging with these patterns in my work, I’m not just preserving history—I’m keeping it alive and making it part of a living conversation. In a time when Armenian history is being erased globally, it feels urgent to me to anchor it visibly.

Today’s Artists: Projecting the Armenian Experience

FAR: Composer Sahan Arzruni spoke to us recently about bringing Armenian stories to non-Armenian audiences. How do different audiences respond to your work?

MK: In the broader art world,  we hear many voices here in the U.S., but Armenian stories are muted. .

Interestingly, non-Armenians are often more immediately drawn to and supportive of my work. However, I would love to see more Armenians support living artists who are the ones developing and capturing our contemporary culture. .

Supporting artists doesn’t have to be monumental: attend shows, follow artists online, buy a piece if you can. Purchasing a $2,000 painting, for example, can make a real difference in an emerging artist’s life

FAR: Who are some Armenian artists you think are making an impact?

MK: So many! A few that come to mind:

• Nairi Khatchadourian is, curator and co-founder of AHA Collective, a curatorial platform for artistic research across Armenia.

• The Library of Architecture in Yerevan, a hub for creativity and innovation in architecture.

• Zhora Gasparyan, a brilliant visual artist and painter.

• Filmmakers like Hrant Varzhapetyan (Friendzona, 250km) and Garush Melkonyan, who examine communication and human connection.

• Textile artists like David Kochunts (rugs, tapestries) and Lizzy Vartanian (embroidery).

And many more. Supporting them can be as simple as following their work, attending an event, or sharing their story.

What Happens After: A New Chapter

FAR: How does "What Happens After" fit into your body of work?

MK: Conceptually, my work often feels like a journey through darkness to find light, similar to the adventures in Divine Comedy. Optimism is often present or found at the end of the journey..

Stylistically, I’m introducing ornamental patterns, which is new. It’s slower, more intricate work to apply oil paint with a knife carefully. It feels like making a precious jewelry piece.  

FAR: How did you approach this exhibit differently?

MK: The challenge was figuring out how to apply medieval Armenian motifs with oil paint. Traditionally, these patterns were carved into blocks for printing. I had fun rethinking the technique of the ornaments and finding my own approach to them. . 

FAR: You mentioned the location of the exhibit is significant. How does exhibiting inside a biotech incubator fit into your story?

MK: LabCentral is a biotech incubator—a future-centric space filled with laboratories and startups. It feels symbolic to have my work presented in that context. A maze-like hallway with art on the right and various labs on the left presents a very special experience for the viewer. The solution focused environment is just perfect for this body of work, especially since they invited me to exhibit in celebration of the Armenian Heritage Month.

FAR: What’s next for you as an artist?

MK: I’m going to keep painting and learning. I hope to meet many people at the exhibit. I would love to see more support for artists, especially those in Armenia. Culture isn’t just something to preserve—it’s something we’re actively building every day.

"What Happens After" will be on display from April 10 to May 30, 2025, at 1832 Gallery in LabCentral, 700 Main St., Cambridge, MA 02139. Showings are by appointment. You can request a showing and follow Masha Keryan’s work at www.mashakeryan.com.