Vartan Malakian was born in Iraq on February 14, 1947 and first started demonstrating his passion for art at the young age of seven, and continues to mold his creativity to the present day. By the age of eighteen, Malakian held his first art expo at the Czechoslovakian Embassy and other government sponsored events drawing attention to his amazing artwork.

In 1968, Vartan took on the position as head dance choreographer for the Iraqi Government and the Armenian Youth Organization. For several years, Vartan successfully organized and created Broadway caliber shows. While working with several art professors at the Academy of Arts Institute in 1972, he met the love of his life Zepur, also a graduated and very talented artist and sculptor. In 1974, Vartan and Zepur were married in Lebanon and decided to move to United States to create a better life for themselves.

By 1975, the Malakian's had moved to the U.S. and settled in Hollywood, California where they were blessed with the birth of their son Daron Malakian, the Guitarist/Songwriter for the world renown rock band System of a Down. Vartan continued his career in dance and arts and in 1981, began to teach dance at Glendale College , where he formed an Armenian Dance Assembly. In 1993, Vartan Malakian opened his Antiques and Art Gallery , which was called Arka Gallery. There, Vartan successfully sold over 100 pieces of his own artistic creations to a diversified group of people including many famous icons in the arts industry. In 2001, the Los Angeles Times called Vartan Malakian's gallery one of the most unique stores in the city.

Vartan has experimented with many different types of art forms including oil and water painting, mosaic glass art, and three-dimensional art, and continues to take classes at an Art Institute to expand his knowledge of art and its multiple forms. Daron Malakian progressed with his music career and System of a Down; and to honor his greatest influence, Daron's wish was to carry his father's artwork onto the stage with him. Consequently prompting Vartan to hand paint several guitars, most of which can be seen in many of System of a Down videos. A leading instrument manufacturer, Ibanez, became interested, and released a limited edition of Iceman guitars hand painted by Vartan, which sold at major musical retail stores. Vartan Malakian's most recent project was the development of artwork featured on CD covers and clothing for System of a Down's platinum selling Mezmerize and Hypnotize albums.

Vartan Malakian has decided to release limited amounts of never before seen artwork that was created for the Mezmerize and Hypnotize albums. These pieces, which vary in size, are all hand made with a combination of chrome and transparent paper, and framed by Vartan Malakian. All pieces are personally signed by Vartan Malakian.

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