Stan Altchenjian - 1938-1999 Kwazulu Natal

Township Scene

Betty's Bay

About the Artist

Stan Altchedjian 's talent for art and photography was identified at an early age, leading  his teachers and vocational guidance counsellor to advise him to follow a career in art. After matriculation (where he achieved his highest marks in Art and History of Art), Stan joined the gold mines on the Reef as an official "learner" of mining techniques - a sort of apprenticeship.

Several jobs followed - banking, motor trade and several not entirely successful own business initiatives during which his spare time was used to experiment with the marriage of photography and painting.

This South African artist's family has its roots in Armenia in the Middle East - a country which was the first to accept Christianity as a state religion. Most Armenian surnames end in "ian" and Stan, although born Alty, reverted to his Armenian name Altchedjian in homage to his grandfather who came to South Africa at the turn of the century, making and losing his fortune in those early pioneering days.

Style and format

The end result of Stan’s photorealistic style is that his images are crisp, colourful and full of life. His influences include his beloved Natal midlands, the Drakensburg, and many delightful scenes of African children. Stan's latest portfolio of South African landscape art includes many scenes of the Cape Peninsula where his treatment of the sea and rocks is particularly arresting.

Exhibitions

In as much as perceptive gallery owners play a key role in exposing talented artists, great tribute must go to John Cannon of Pietermaritsburg who first encouraged Stan in the 1970's and 80's.

Altchedjian's work is widely recognized in the South African art community, with many corporations and private collections recognising his skills and the value of his work. Although he never staged a "one man show" and was at best part of group exhibitions, Stan preferred to work to commissions and with a few galleries to promote his work.

Demand also ensures that his South African artwork sells quickly, with many people eager to collect more than one example of his vision and creativity. International visitors are now appreciating Altchedjian's imagery of South African landscapes, with many of his works gracing collections as far a field as the United States, Singapore Sweden, the United Kingdom, Germany and Italy.

With Stan’s untimely death from cancer a great talent has left the South African art scene. His works are becoming increasingly difficult to find and rarely come to the market on auction.

Commission or purchase fine art by Stan Altchedjian by emailing Fine Art Portfolio at info@fineartportfolio.co.za, or by calling us on on +27 (0)21 433 0908.