Amalya Nané Tumanian’s journey into the world of art began at a young age, with her first oil painting completed when she was just 15. Since then, her style has evolved significantly, moving from a focus on realism to more expressive, figurative, and abstract works.
A Master of Fine Arts graduate from the Academy of Arts University in San Francisco, Tumanian has been an active participant in solo and group exhibitions, as well as various international art fairs. Her work is now part of private and corporate collections, a testament to her broad appeal and the emotional resonance of her art.
Since 2018, Tumanian has been based in Paris, where she continues to create and expand her artistic vision. Living in France has provided her with new inspirations and contexts, but the progress of her style began long before. As she shifted from realism to a more abstract form, she embraced a desire to convey deeper meanings through color, texture, and contrast. Her exhibitions have taken place in various countries, including the USA, UK, France, China, Taiwan, Germany, Spain, Russia, and Armenia, among others. Art fairs she has participated in include Art Capital Paris, Art Shopping Louvre, Art3f Reims, and Taipei, Taiwan, among many others. Signing her artworks as “Nané TUMAN,” the artist’s nickname is an essential part of her identity and artistic expression.
One of Tumanian’s works is Briser le silence (Breaking the Silence), an acrylic painting on wood, measuring 100 x 70 x 3 cm. The title itself gives insight into her thought process, where she explores the dynamic interplay between light and shadow. “There is silence in shadow as there is in the light,” she explains, suggesting a philosophical approach to the way she sees her surroundings. The painting speaks to a balance, where silence is disrupted by the presence of light, and light is interrupted by shadows. These contrasts are expressed through patches of colors that form a visual dialogue on the canvas.
Her process for this painting, and many others, reflects her approach to both nature and urban landscapes. Tumanian has developed a way to translate what she observes in the world into color fields—blocks and patches of color that evoke an emotional response rather than a direct representation of a scene. This technique allows viewers to experience a certain freedom, as they interpret the work based on their own perceptions and emotions.
Tumanian’s ability to shift between different styles and techniques speaks to her commitment to experimentation and personal expression. Her early years as a realist painter laid the foundation for a deep understanding of form and structure, but it’s in her abstract works where she seems to find her voice. The abstraction provides a broader canvas for her to explore the complexities of human experience, using color as a tool to express emotions and states of mind.
Receiving the Bronze Medal from the French Society of Arts, Sciences et Lettres in 2022 was a significant achievement for Tumanian. Her transition to life in France has likely influenced her work, adding new dimensions to her artistic vision.
Her works are a reflection of the emotional and visual depth present in her creations. The appeal of Tumanian’s work lies not only in her technical skill but also in the way she communicates through color and form. There’s a universality to her pieces, where the viewer is invited into a space that blends the familiar with the abstract.
Living in Paris, she finds herself surrounded by a city that has long been a hub for artistic innovation, a perfect backdrop for her to continue evolving. Her works, like Briser le silence, reveal a constant exploration of light, shadow, and the spaces in between, reminding us that silence and sound, light and dark, are in constant dialogue.
This balance between contrast and harmony is what makes her work stand out. It invites contemplation, allowing viewers to engage with the emotions and ideas presented without feeling overwhelmed by complexity. Instead, Tumanian’s pieces create space for reflection, where viewers can project their own thoughts and experiences onto the canvas.
In the coming years, it will be interesting to see how Amalya Nané Tumanian’s work continues to develop. Her ability to capture the essence of both nature and urban life in abstract forms, and her skill at balancing color and contrast, ensure that her art will continue to resonate with audiences around the world.
