Glendale city council rejects donated painting by Iranian-Armenian

PanARMENIAN.Net - An oil painting featuring the Statue of Liberty surrounded by the floating heads of popular Armenian figures recently became the first donated work of art to the city in more than a decade to be turned down, Glendale News-Press reported.

The painting also includes flowing wheat, Mt. Ararat and a statue of an Armenian princess.

While one commissioner called it “a beautiful theme,” the painting failed to make it past the Arts & Culture Commission or City Council and onto a city-owned office wall - the first time that’s happened since 2000, said Public Art Project Manager Ripsime Marashian.

According to a staff report, the 18-by-24 inch painting, appraised at $1,800, also wasn’t of the highest aesthetic quality.

The artist, Anita Garouni, is an Iranian immigrant with Armenian ancestry who has lived in Glendale for 15 years. She told the commission that her painting, titled “Home,” represents the love she feels for the United States and her Armenian culture.

Marashian said the city’s decision-making process for accepting donated art includes considering the work’s relation to the city, maintenance requirements and aesthetics.

Since 2000, the city has received 10 donated pieces of art, including Garouni’s. Most have been paintings, Marashian said.

The last accepted art donation was in 2008. The sculpture, which was made public last year, represents the helmet and coat of a Glendale firefighter who suffered burns over more than 70% of his body while battling a fire nearly 15 years ago.

In 2003, the city accepted two donated paintings by artist Zadik Zadikian of a 1940s police car and an old police shield. Zadikian had offered the city a third similar painting, but he wanted $20,000 for it, so the city passed on the offer.

Grigorian said he hoped the rejection of Garouni’s painting didn’t deter other artists from donating to the city.

The city also plans to unveil an arts-focused website in coming months that will hopefully spur additional donations, Marashian said.