EARLY YEARS

Varoujan, born of Armenian parents in Aleppo, Syria, began to paint almost as soon as he could hold a brush. His family did not encourage him to pursue his
talent, since his father had his heart set on medical career for his son. He threw his paints out of the window and broke his brushes.

At age fifteen, Varoujan took a painting to the State Institute of Fine Arts in Aleppo, and asked the director whether he was worthy of instruction. He was told that he would be given a degree in a few years, but that he already knew everything they had to teach him.

SARIAN ACADEMY

While still in high school, Varoujan attended the Sarian Academy, an art school and cultural center where intellectuals often met.

In 1969, Carzou, world renowned French artist, visited the city of Aleppo. As a part of his tour, he stopped by the Sarian Academy and discovered Varoujan's paintings among the others. He encouraged him to continue his education in art.

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