Vibrant illustrations Pay Homage to Armenia’s Soviet Modernist Architecture

Modernist Soviet Architecture Illustrations by Nvard Yerkanian

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Italy-based, Armenian graphic designer and illustrator Nvard Yerkanian pays homage to her home country with an ongoing series of minimalist illustrations inspired by Soviet Modernist architecture. “It is an ode to the architectural heritage that is either lost or unfairly undervalued,” she explains. “The main aim of the project is to reveal the beauty and value of soviet-modernism to the indifferent public through the magic of colors that accentuate the simple yet fantastic forms of these monuments.”

Yerkanian’s Soviet Modernist subjects include the Sevan Writers' Resort in eastern Armenia, designed by Gevorg Kochar and Mikael Mazmanyan in 1965. The architectural complex juts out above the Sevan lake and was built to provide relaxation and inspiration to authors. Yerkanian’s illustrated rendition highlights its curved windows and balcony with minimalist shapes filled with colorful gradients.

Yerkanian has also captured the charm of other epic structures such as the now abandoned Echmiadzin diving tower designed by Felix Hakobyan during the ‘60s, and the star-shaped Central Bus Station in Hrazdan built by Henrik Arakelyan in 1976-78. Each illustration pays homage to this distinct era of design by celebrating the buildings’ bold forms with graphic shapes and vibrant color.

Scroll down to see Yerkanian’s fantastic architecture-inspired illustrations and follow her on Instagram to keep up to date with the ongoing series. If you like this artist’s work, you can purchase her illustrations as prints and more on Society6.

Illustrator Nvard Yerkanian's ongoing series of minimalist illustrations celebrates Soviet Modernist architecture in Armenia.

Modernist Soviet Architecture Illustrations by Nvard Yerkanian

Modernist Soviet Architecture Illustrations by Nvard Yerkanian

Each illustration pays homage to this distinct era of design by celebrating the buildings’ bold forms with graphic shapes and vibrant color.

Modernist Soviet Architecture Illustrations by Nvard Yerkanian

Modernist Soviet Architecture Illustrations by Nvard Yerkanian

Modernist Soviet Architecture Illustrations by Nvard Yerkanian

Modernist Soviet Architecture Illustrations by Nvard Yerkanian

Modernist Soviet Architecture Illustrations by Nvard Yerkanian

Modernist Soviet Architecture Illustrations by Nvard Yerkanian

Modernist Soviet Architecture Illustrations by Nvard Yerkanian

Modernist Soviet Architecture Illustrations by Nvard Yerkanian

Modernist Soviet Architecture Illustrations by Nvard Yerkanian

Modernist Soviet Architecture Illustrations by Nvard Yerkanian

Nvard Yerkanian: Website | Instagram | Behance | Society6

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Nvard Yerkanian.

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Emma Taggart

Emma Taggart is a Contributing Writer at My Modern Met. Originally from Northern Ireland, she is an artist now based in Berlin. After graduating with a BA in Fashion and Textile Design in 2013, Emma decided to combine her love of art with her passion for writing. Emma has contributed to various art and culture publications, with an aim to promote and share the work of inspiring modern creatives. While she writes every day, she’s also devoted to her own creative outlet—Emma hand-draws illustrations and is currently learning 2D animation.
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