Jak Ihmalyan

This monograph offers a comprehensive exploration of the life and work of Jak Ihmalyan (1922–1978), published on the occasion of his exhibition at Dirimart Pera. Tracing his journey from Istanbul to cities across the Eastern Bloc, the book sheds light on an artist who remained committed to painting despite exile, political pressure, and changing geographies. Ihmalyan emerged as a promising young painter of Armenian origin before fleeing Turkey in 1949 due to his involvement with the Communist Party. The publication brings together an extensive selection of works from family, private, and institutional collections, presenting Ihmalyan’s visual language within the context of his ideological beliefs and international life. His paintings, created across Beirut, Warsaw, Beijing, and Moscow, reflect both personal conviction and a strong social vision. This richly illustrated volume invites a new generation of viewers to rediscover an overlooked figure of modern art and reconsider his place in cultural history. Text in English and Turkish.