In the ever-evolving world of art, some artists stand at the crossroads of tradition and rebellion, of established conventions and uncharted territory. Tak Salmastyan, an Armenian-born American artist residing in Los Angeles, is one such force of creativity and innovation, who proudly calls himself “The King of Spiritual Hooligans.” Salmastyan has carved his place in the art world by rejecting the boundaries of genres and styles, choosing instead to transcend them. His manifesto boldly proclaims: “I am The King of Spiritual Hooligans without any borders and limitations, a dreaming voyager celebrating love, misery, light, and darkness of the Universe via vivid imagination, spurious style, and striking color.”
Born in Armenia in 1963, during the Soviet period, Tak Salmastyan’s journey into the world of art began in a place of deep cultural and historical significance. The weight of his heritage, combined with the complexity of his name—Takvor, meaning “The King”—inspired him to embrace a grand vision for his work. His move to Los Angeles in 1990 marked a new chapter of his artistic progress.
In his book, “Window to Freedom: Paintings by Tak Salmastyan”, he recounts a pivotal moment when a friend and art collector referred to him as a “Spiritual Hooligan.” This nickname resonated deeply with Salmastyan, and he officially adopted it. He combined his given name’s royal connotation with this rebellious spirit, declaring himself “The King of Spiritual Hooligans.” This title encapsulates his defiance of categorization and his reluctance to be stereotyped as a surrealist, cubist, or realist. For Salmastyan, art is about freedom, exploration, and the celebration of life’s dualities—love and misery, light and darkness—without the constraints of genre.
Photo Courtesy: Tak Salmastyan
The Many Faces of Tak Salmastyan’s Art
BinArtism™ Collection
One of Salmastyan’s groundbreaking contributions to modern art is his invention of BinArtism™. This innovative method uses the binary number system—composed of only two digits, “0” and “1”—to create intricate silhouettes and images. The zero and one are used to represent human or animal forms, where the digit “0” often symbolizes the female figure and “1” the male figure. These images are a commentary on how modern life, with its binary, digital interactions, intersects with timeless human experiences.
Autoplasticism Collection
Tak Salmastyan also developed the Autoplasticism style, which fuses the strict geometric rules of Neo-Plasticism with the more spontaneous, free-flowing movements of Automatism. In this style, the artist’s hand movements are restricted to horizontal and vertical lines, creating compositions based on the Golden Ratio and Fibonacci Sequence. Autoplasticism is a perfect example of how Salmastyan blends mathematical elements with emotional and artistic expression.
Surrealist Collection
While Salmastyan resists being pigeonholed as a surrealist, his Surrealist Collection remains a vital aspect of his work. Surrealism, with its focus on unlocking the subconscious and translating the flow of thoughts into images, is a natural extension of Salmastyan’s artistic philosophy. His surrealist paintings explore the human condition, tapping into the emotional complexities of existence.
Minimalist Collections
In the Minimalist Collection, Salmastyan strips away all non-essential elements, focusing on color, shape, and line to expose the essence of the subject. The result is a series of works that challenge the viewer to find meaning in what is left unsaid, in the spaces between the forms.
Geometric Collections
The Geometric Collection uses abstract shapes and forms to create compositions that are visually striking yet conceptually complex. Geometric Abstraction has a long history, dating back to ancient Greece, and Salmastyan breathes new life into this tradition, merging ancient and modern in his distinctive way.
Eclectic and Landscape Collections
True to his eclectic spirit, Salmastyan’s Eclectic Collection brings together elements from various styles and philosophies. Here, he demonstrates his ability to blend and adapt, taking inspiration from different movements while still maintaining his unique voice. His landscapes, meanwhile, offer a more logical exploration of natural beauty with the constant presence of the sky.
Salmastyan challenges his audience to think, feel, and see themselves and the world in a new light by embracing a variety of styles and coming up with his own. His art is not just for the present or the past, it is also about what will be felt in the future.
Published By: Aize Perez
