Simon Donikian, Artist

Simon Donikian | Curriculum vitae
45-55 46th Street
Woodside, New York, NY 11377 USA
Biograpy

Events marked by # symbol are on the bottom of the page Simon Donikian was born in the city of Constanta, Romania in 1949 of Armenian parents (father Diran Donikian born in Ismir Turkey and mother former name Kiregian also émigré from Kaisely area of Turkey). Both regions were part of old Armenia till Turks invasion in 14th century. He became a member at the local art club at the age of 7 and continued his art education at the High School of Music and Arts in Constanta. On his own, he started to do copies after Rubens, Rembrandt, Vermeer and other classic artists. He also started to do his own creations inclined toward semiabstract surrealism. In 1968, he entered the Institute of Cartographic Design in Bucharest.

After graduating two years later, he immigrated to New York in 1971 with his family consisting of his parents and his older brother. It was a tough beginning as he was forced to make a hard living yet continue his artistic career on the side. In 1976 marries a Romanian girl who was a collage during the 2 years in Bucharest and a son called Michael is born in 1980 Simon's brother has a nervous breakdown in1972 (#1) in1982.becomes a shoe repair for 10 years as the situation with the brother was a major concern sharing a store with the father who was a tailor and the house was on the top floor .The wife takes a job in jewelry company. The marriage suffers and relation become cooler and the wife find an Armenian boyfriend called Garo Shammian (émigré from former Soviet Armenia ( #2 ) the relationship is kept secret till a love letter is fond in `89 but she apsolultly deny any intimate relation. I also refuse to create a scandal out of this as our son was only 8 years old and that would create an irreparable damage. But a bunch of ugly events as Simon also was also learning to run a 6fam house one block away from first residence. Father dies in 1985 and shortly after a gang of young Puerto Rican gang start harassing him for reasons I cant explain at the time (#3). In 2002 the wife quits the job as the relation break up and after few days she starts to confess all the story in writing. after few days I called our son and show him the written confession. Mike was then 22 and had graduated 6 year at Cornell University and somehow mature enough somehow to handle this piece of news followed by divorce. In 1985 he chose Queens cityscapes as his major subject and by 1993 he cautiously reincorporated elements of surrealism found in his earlier works. After the divorcr and all other sad events stophaving shows. Shows: * solo shows / † representation one year 1968 Bucharest, Romania
1969 Constanta, Romania*
1971 Beirut, Lebanon
1975 Lynn Kottler Galleries, New York, USA
1976-80 St Moritz Hotel, New York, (Armenian Students Association)
1988 Cultural Environ, Queens, New York, USA
1989 La Guardia College Gallery, Queens, New York, USA
   Helio Galleries, NYC, USA
   Morin Miller Gallery, NYC, USA †
1990 Clapp & Tutle Gallery, Woodbery, New Haven, CT, USA †
   Lincoln Saving Bank, NYC, USA *
1991 York Square Cinema Gallery, New Haven, CT, USA
   Old State House, Hartford, CT, USA
   Triplex Gallery (Manhattan Community College)
   BBDO Gallery, NYC, USA *
1992 Monserrat Gallery, NYC, USA
   Manhattan Graphic Center, NYC, USA
   Abney Gallery, NYC, USA †
   World Wide Gallery NYC, USA
   St James Armenian Church, Los Angeles, USA
   Erevan, City Gallery, Armenia *
1994 Puck Building Gallery, NYC, USA
   St. Thomas Armenian Church, New Jersey, USA *
1995-2002 Puck Building Gallery, NYC (yearly group shows)

2001 Dime Saving Bank of Willamsburgh* New York

Periodicals / Critic statements / Internet / Books /Artist statements

1968 ``S. Donikian – New Talent" by G. Papagheorghe, Dobrogea Noua newspaper (in Romanian) Romania
1975 ``Trio at Kottler " Park East newspaper, New York
1989 ``Special Image of America" by Joseph Markel in Artspeak bimonthly magazine
``What has happened aesthetically with Donikian is a shift in attention from understanding the general ambience of his urban life scene to becoming more specific. Obviously this is no Hopperesque approach, not even philosophically. It's a new game with new rules, new moods, new emphases."

1989 ``S. Donikian's New America" by Palmer Paroner, Artspeak magazine
1989 ``The Enduring Vision of S.Donikian" by Ed McCormack in Artspeak magazine
1990 ``Donikian Widens His Scope" by E. C. Lipton in Artspeak
1990 Entry in ``The Encyclopedia of Living Artists" in America (fifth edition) Editor Constance Franklin
1990 ``Donikian the Painter of Queens" by Alfred Lubrano of Daily News
``It is this crowded quality of people going about their business that is the main difference between Donikian and another New York City landscape artist to whom he has been compared, Edward Hopper."

1991 ``The Rare Gift of S.Donikian" by Diana Roberts of Manhattan Arts
``Donikian's ability to be figurative without sacrificing art, to be traditional and original at the same time, and to show us what we look at but do not see for ourselves sets him apart as an artist of great sensitivity"

1990 ``S. Donikian an Artist with Great Faith" by J. Zambacian, former director of Zambacian Museum, Bucharest, Romania
1990 ``Local Talent Exercises `Freedom of Choice'" by William Zimmer, New York Times
1991 ``Three Stimulating Artists" Abraham Ilein, Artspeak magazine
1991 ``S. Donikian's workaday world" by Will Grant, Artspeak magazine
1992 ``Abney Gallery Display Innovative Artists" by Meredith Hall in Artspeak
1992 A copy of ``Under the Flushing Line" by Gail F Harre appears in ``The Cressent" monthly magazine of Valparaiso University, Indiana
1991 Donikian exhibits NYC landscapes Ed. Baschian in Armenian Reporter newspaper
1992 ``Haven for Local Artists" by M. Bazzy in NY Newsday newspaper
1992 Article in Erevan Armenia in Armenian language
1993 Small article in NY Magazine by Paulette Weiss
1993 Painter of Sunnyside by Michael Matthews in Woodside Herald, Queens newspaper
1998 Enters over 100 works in display in his web pages on the internet at www.donikian.com

2001 Entry in Allgemeines Kunstler-Lexikon Vol#28, page 555 Leipzic Germany
   Entry in ``Outstanding Artists and Designers 21 Century" by International Bio. Center Cambrige, England
   Casa Editrice Alba's Entry in Dizionario Enciclopedico Internazionale, Ferrara, Italy
   Gets the title of ``Profesor Associated Academician" from Academia ``Greci- Marino del Verbano" Vinzaglio Italy
   New York Times's Story about him in City section ``Inspired by Mundane" by Lee Koh (May 13,'01)
   Harper's Magazine reproduces in color ``The fall of Superman near Bliss Street station V2" in their fall issue
   40 studends of Prof. Peter Shippy (Emerson College, Boston, MA) writes 40 poems based on ``The fall of Superman"
   Armenian TV ``Ardzgang" produces a 12 minutes film aired in NY, NJ, CA. and ARMENIA
   Queens Tribune publish story ``Queens Through the brush of a Woodsider" writen by Nick Abadjan (nov. 16) Ararat (Armenian paper prited in Romanian / Bucharest has a one page write up and 3 photos reproduced 2002 In January, New York Historical Society and Museum admits one of his works in their permanent collection

2002 In June, The Museum of the City of New York accepts Under the Bliss Street Station (oil on canvas) in their permanent collection, 2005 Brauer Museum of Art vallparaiso University. Indiana Works by S. Donikian up to present are in private collections in Europe, USA and Asia

#1 life becomes very difficult as he is in and out hospitals without any doctor to follow the case. Usually after hospital releases is OK for few months than stop taking the medicine and becomes violent attacking anyone except my mother. ``I tried to write to a congressman about it but I got no clear answer". This continue till in 1984 Nov. 27.when he shots a police officer (James Osorio) in the arm. The event becomes top news in 3 TV station and major publication including ``The New York Times" This become a major factor to returned back to Romania but it was impossible to readjust and he eventually came back

#2 the relationship is kept secret till a love letter is fond in `89 but she apsolultly deny any intimate relation. I also refuse to create a scandal out of this as our son was only 8 years old and that would create an irreparable damage.

#3 Basically they start siting in front of the property (verbal harassment turn in throwing stones) I called police a number of times but they usually disappear as police arrive.But on 12 May `97 some 20 of them attack him and in defense I pick up 2 broom sticks and hitting them in the air yelling at them. They called the Police and 2 Hispanics police arrived and arrested him based on false information that I hit them. End up some 40 hours in jail as there was anyone hit but nevertheless a private lawyer was hired and paid some $700 per appearance and in 6 month the case was drooped and I remain penniless. somehow I realize that the was a connection between the gang and some other Armenian friend of Garo who wanted me dead so that the adultery case won't come to light. The gang is still there but they diminished in number and their action are a bit less subdue. Basically one important element of the Police protection was changed around 1990 when a policemen that the community knew by name was responsible. Since then one has to call 911 and some policemen came and ask you `` What is the problem?" as victim usually is afraid to call or to complain about it as somehow criminals are protected.

6 May `07 at 1 AM I was beaten by gang member in front of my residance with face covered by a hood while some 30 others gang members were having the a great show. Few hours earlier on 5 May police was twice but they just come and goes. The gang first start gathering at a 24 hour Deli at intersection of 45th Street and 47 Ave. then spreads all along 45th streets after 9PM apparently this is a new gang that I see for the lasts few months. There is 2 types of Police protection: The first one where a policeman is in charge and knows and protects the assigned area. And the second type where one calls 911 and unknown policeman who apparently don't know what going on. They arrive after the gang disappears . A new character who appears after dark with a cut on his right side of his neck had been warning me for the last 3 weeks `` I am going to get you " Bassicly is the same source as in `97 (see life summary.) June 5 I've seen similar incidents in full daylights and no one intevines and the victims don't call the police