LEO KRIKORIAN

Submitted to the MOA by his niece in July, 2005:

Leo Krikorian was born Dec. 28, 1922 in California. His parents were immigrants from Armenia and Georgia and came to this country in 1912. The family had tickets for the maiden voyage of the Titanic, but fortunately their train was late so they had to take a later boat.

Leo worked as a child in canneries and on farms during the depression years. He had come from simple means and never forgot that. He always made sure to feed the hungry and provide shelter to those in need throughout his lifetime.

After World War II he enrolled at the Art Center School in Los Angeles to study photography under Ansel Adams. When attending Black Mountain College he studied under Josef Albers and Ilya Bolotowsky. He returned to California to attend the San Francisco Institute of Fine Arts and studied under Miner White and once again under Ansel Adams.

In the early 50s, along with another Black Mountain student named Ken Nolan, Leo opened "The Place" in San Francisco. Among his patrons were poet Allen Ginsburg and actor Tony Randell. After closing "The Place" he opened a deli called "The Kettle" in Sausalito. In 1977 he sold "The Kettle" and moved to Paris, France. He held duel citizenship in both France and the USA and devoted his time totally to his artwork.

Leo's artwork has been exhibited in major cities throughout the world. His artwork is included in major museums throughout the world as well.

Leo painted until his illness would not allow him to paint any longer. His last paintings were in 2004 and his death was Jan. 3, 2005. He was able to do the things he loved the best in life right to the end.