About Mark Jerar

Mark Jerar is a contemporary painter best known for Raw Minimalism, a style rooted in instinctive expression.

BIOGRAPHY
Mark Jerar (/dʒəˈrɑː/), born Mark Jerar Hunanyan on 31 January 1991 in Yerevan, Armenia. His artistic journey began in childhood, influenced by his early mentors. A minimalist by nature, Jerar embraces simplicity as the essence of his practice, creating paintings that invite the viewer to connect with the moment. He describes painting as a release, "I paint my thoughts to set them free." This mindset became foundational in the philosophy of Raw Minimalism.

Jerar's artistic education began in the late 1990s under Martiros Badalyan, whose mentorship crucially shaped his approach to imagery.
Later, he studied in Frank Gasparian's studio, a transformative period in his artistic journey. Gasparian's technique deepened Jerar's understanding of painting, marking a turning point in his artistic evolution.
In the late 2000s, Jerar studied at the State Academy of Fine Arts in Armenia, earning his bachelor of art under the mentorship of Saro Galents. There, he developed a keen sensitivity to life's intricate details, a perspective that resonates throughout his work.

STATEMENT
“I paint to express thought. Each painting is a direct translation of an internal state, stripped to its essentials. My work follows the philosophy of Raw Minimalism, a movement I developed to return to instinct, emotion and the core of expression. I avoid refinement and perfection. Instead, I focus on material honesty and unrefined forms that allow the viewer to engage with the raw presence of the work.
I paint exclusively in oil on canvas and use a matte finish to eliminate reflection and deepen the sense of space. This allows textures to carry equal weight, allowing intentional emptiness to speak as loudly as the brushstrokes.
Each piece is built on intuition rather than concept—I don't plan, but follow impulse. Through this I seek clarity, not through explanation but through presence.”

EXHIBITIONS
2011 – Group Exhibition - Boyajian Gallery, Yerevan, Armenia
2006 – Group Exhibition - Artists' Union of Armenia, Yerevan, Armenia
2004 – Group Exhibition - Igityan National Center, Yerevan, Armenia
2002 – Youth Exhibition - Circular Garden, Yerevan, Armenia
1999 – Youth Exhibition - Armenian Children's Home, Yerevan, Armenia