INTERNS AND ARTISTS SPEAK
"When I ponder upon my apprenticeship experience with Ellen Frank and the Cities of Peace exhibit, the following concept comes to mind: ‘He who looks at the bottom of a well can only see a portion of the sky.’ African Proverb"
–Adrian Perez, Honduras
"Working at the studio encompassed a range of skills: from mastering the technical skill involved in illumination to researching the histories of the cities we worked on and discussing the projects with scholars and academics, special- izing in Islamic art and Liberian arts and crafts. The work we produced is testament to the collaborative nature of the project and the talented individuals with whom I lived and worked, and with whom I had the most fun, even in the most pressured of times leading up to exhibition. EFIAF is an extraordinary enterprise, of which I intend to remain an active part, for as long as the Cities of Peace project endeavors to create dialogue between art and social issues."
–Debbie Duru, Nigeria and England
"When I first learned about the internship opportunity at EFIAF, I was amazed that there was a formal organization offering young people the chance to embark on research and creative work that unites art, history, and peace studies, offering a holistic model of education outside of the compartmentalized university system. The atelier model provid- ed the guidance of a teacher with the closeness of a friend, an inspiration to merge one’s life and work. I learned the important historical practice (gold- and sliver-leaf illumination) while expanding my historical and compassionate appreciation of other cities and individuals who have experienced great trauma through war. Interns are respected for their individual talents, strengths, and important contributions, from planning compositions to applying paint and gold leaf. I found my internship empowering, and I know I wouldn’t be who I am today if I hadn’t been part of this."
–Mollie Cashwell, United States
"Being far away from home, among the new people, you unwillingly start to drift away from your origin, habits, in short: you begins to adapt to the new society. And the things that once you have enjoyed seem to become a part of the past "ME". Since 7 years I have not been painting, considering this occupation as childish and completely unnecessary for the serious adult life. But being in this project, I realised myself in a new way understanding myself in the past. I revealed that, which was unjustly deprived of my attention. Ellen Frank has really made a miracle! She has managed to find the key to my soul. She was able to find, understand and tune the talent that I’ve lost, she pampered it as a gardener pampers the rose bushes . She managed to get to my wavelength and tune the harmony in me, as the master tunes the vintage piano. I am amazed at her understanding of each of us, her understanding of the human nature, peace and humanity. I am struck by her emotions and her energy! By her love for an alien culture. It is beyond words! I think all of us will miss those sunny moments and that special Art - atmosphere that reigned at the studio during this short time."
–Arthur Fältskog, Armenia
"Cities of Peace project is of the ultimate importance nowadays: it's a reflection of our thoughts, feelings and desires. This is not just a canvas for us, it's a place where we not only design a visible picture but we also transfer our inner world, love to all humanity, connecting people all over the world, bringing the understanding of the importance of togetherness, equality and mutual understanding."
–Anna Avakyan, Armenia
"First of all I would like to thank Prof. Armen Darbinyan, and Ms. Dalia Lane for inviting an amazing artist Ellen Frank to Yerevan and initiating this charitable art program creating the 10th painting in the collection "Cities of Peace" and dedicating it to the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. This is a huge contribution to the art and history of our country!"
–Magi Shahbazyan, Armenia
"Culture is a way of life for people and it helps to construct the foundation for people's values, believes, and choices in life. Culture makes societies unique. Cities of Peace is the culture of humanity, creativity and friendship. It's a message to the world. I'm happy, that the 10-th piece of Ellen Frank collection is dedicated to Armenia, and its people, it encourages us to be stronger in this complicated world."
–Maya Aleksanyan, Armenia
"While creating the painting I realized the importance of art in general and our painting in particular from the global viewpoint and scale. I learned how to read a painting in symbols and how to create it with the help of them. I truly realised what it means to transform suffering into hope."
–Ani Manana Matevossian, Armenia
"I am deeply inspired by the nature of this project, its peaceful aura and aims. The process of the creation of the "Cities of Peace Yerevan" painting itself was a peace spreading magical ritual, with our talented artistic director Ellen Frank. I believe that this painting includes in it not only the face of Yerevan, but also the spirit of Armenian culture. Painting's transforming power has a lot to say and show to the world."
–Ani Tarjumanyan, Armenia
"When I ponder upon my apprenticeship experience with Ellen Frank and the Cities of Peace exhibit, the following concept comes to mind: ‘He who looks at the bottom of a well can only see a portion of the sky.’ African Proverb"
–Adrian Perez, Honduras
"As an undergraduate student of art and literature, exploring other disciplines, I could never have envi- sioned the kind of marriage among history, architecture, peace studies and visual arts that Ellen has created. After my internship, I returned to school, studied art in Italy, and won highest honors for my painting thesis. Upon graduating, I moved to Istanbul to teach English, and am now working in New York in graphic design while pursuing my personal art and design projects. My internship at the Ellen Frank Illumination Arts Atelier remains one of the lasting experiences of my life, a guiding force in the way I view art and the capacity of this timeless art form to make an imprint on our lives, and a mark of beauty on this earth."
–Madeline Reidy, United States
"CITIES OF PEACE knits together the mediums of paint, varieties of gold leaf, text and design to communicate its intention: the act of transforming anguish into compassionate understanding and beauty. Simply put, I find the remarkable depth of intellectual considerations equal to the exquisiteness of the historical, informed imagery."
– Eugene Yeap, Singapore
"Working on CITIES OF PEACE gave me the understanding that transcends national boundaries and ethnicities, providing me the opportunity to continue my father's diplomatic work: contributing to a new cultural diplomacy."
– Jurij Puc, Slovenia