10/15/2026
Artist Spotlight: Ava Der-Derian Manukyan
Ava Der-Derian Manukyan is a contemporary artist whose multidisciplinary practice draws upon more than three decades of experience in fine art, jewelry, and fashion accessories design.
Educated at the State Academy of Fine Arts in Yerevan, Armenia, Manukyan relocated to Los Angeles following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. She established a distinguished career in design while continuing to develop her artistic practice.
Her work explores the intersection of fine art, material, and personal experience, examining themes of memory, human connection, identity, and the unseen emotional and psychological dimensions of life.
Working across two- and three-dimensional forms, Manukyan uses continuous, overlapping lines that shift between abstraction and figuration. Textile, paper, metallic pigment, gold leaf, and other materials become both surface and structure, giving her work a distinctive sense of depth and dimension.
Drawing on her background in design, her practice combines meticulous craftsmanship with intuitive expression. Each piece invites viewers to look beyond the surface and discover the stories, emotions, and connections woven into her work.
Meet the Artist at Litavie Art Gallery
Join us for The 4th Dimension, our upcoming artist talk series featuring Ava Der-Derian Manukyan happening on October 22, October 27, and October 29.
Discover the ideas, inspirations, and creative process behind her artistic practice.