SPARTAK G. BABAYAN

Launch of the Website March 2025

My grandfather’s art was once housed both in his home and in the museum in Baku. Unfortunately, during the turbulent times when Armenians were forced to flee Baku—facing violence, threats, humiliation, and even death—many works by prominent Armenian artists were destroyed. They were burned, discarded, and dismantled. My grandparents' home was among the casualties.

That home was an artwork in itself. Every corner, every wall, was crafted by my grandfather’s hands. He had designed the bathroom with intricate mosaic tiles, created a sofa from metal and stones, and adorned the walls with newspaper clippings, including interviews about his work. All of this is lost to time. We don’t know who lives there now, nor can my parents bear to search for answers on Google Earth, fearing the heartbreak of seeing what’s left. What we do know is that his works are gone, and the space where they once existed is no more.

The cemetery where my grandfather was laid to rest, an Armenian memorial ground, has now been replaced by a freeway.

Bringing his art to safety was an arduous journey. The process of relocating it from Baku to Yerevan, and then shipping it across the sea to San Francisco, was fraught with challenges. My father navigated this journey with connections, diplomacy, and immense stress. It took everything from him and my mother, but their persistence paid off. Today, we are grateful to have more than 50 of his works in our possession, a testament to their resilience and dedication.

Some background:

Armenians were forcibly expelled from Baku, Azerbaijan, primarily during the conflict that followed the collapse of the Soviet Union in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

The most significant wave of violence ( this is where my family was forced out - my sister and I were with my grandmother, Nina and aunt Nairi ) and displacement occurred in 1988-1990, amid escalating tensions between Armenians and Azerbaijanis over the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

In January 1990, following a period of ethnic violence, the Azerbaijani government conducted a violent crackdown on Armenians living in Baku, which culminated in widespread attacks against the Armenian population.

Armenians were brutally beaten, killed, and threatened, with many forced to flee their homes. The violence was part of a broader series of events leading to the large-scale displacement of Armenians from Baku and other parts of Azerbaijan. Many Armenians were forced to leave their homes and migrate to Armenia or other countries.

This period marked the peak of anti-Armenian sentiment in Azerbaijan, and it resulted in the loss of cultural heritage, including the destruction of Armenian homes, businesses, and artworks, as mentioned in your original text.

~Zara

After nearly 20 years of storing the works in our homes and boxes, the time had come to digitize them. For this, I turned to my dear friend Ekaterina, a professional photographer whose work is currently showcased in magazines and museums around the world. To learn more about her, please visit the "About Us" section.

~Zara

This project came together effortlessly from the very start. It felt as though everything simply aligned. I am truly fortunate to be surrounded by such talented and incredible individuals who, out of their own generosity and passion, chose to contribute their time and skills to this endeavor. Their dedication and love for the project are evident in every aspect. You can learn more about my amazing team in the "About Us" section. I am deeply grateful for their unwavering support, their exceptional talent, and the priceless friendship they bring into my life.

~Zara