System of a Down’s Serj Tankian to unveil multi-sensory art experience

System of a Down’s Serj Tankian to unveil multi-sensory art experience
Music Is A Doorway - Serj Tankian

The frontman will appear in person for an exclusive art exhibition in New Jersey

Grammy Award-winning artist and System Of A Down frontman Serj Tankian brings his powerful fusion of visual art and music to Wentworth Gallery in Short Hills, New Jersey on August 24th, debuting a bold collection of original works in a rare, immersive exhibition. A visionary across multiple mediums—music, poetry, visual art, and activism—Tankian’s work transcends traditional boundaries to create a unique fusion of sound and canvas. Each of his paintings is paired with a musical composition crafted specifically for the piece, offering a multi-sensory experience unlike any other. Viewers can unlock these compositions through Arloopa, a free app that uses optical recognition to bring each work to life through sound.

The exhibition comes just days ahead of System Of A Down’s highly anticipated return to the stage in New Jersey, with two back-to-back shows at MetLife Stadium on August 27-28. The timing offers fans a rare opportunity to engage with Tankian’s visual art in an intimate gallery setting before experiencing his legendary on-stage presence with the iconic rock band.

“I see music and visual art as extensions of the same soul. When I paint, I’m composing. When I compose, I’m painting. Each informs the other in ways words cannot express. Art is a vehicle for truth and transcendence, and through this fusion of sound and image, I aim to create a deeper connection—one that invites not just observation, but participation. My goal is to awaken the senses, provoke thought, and encourage reflection on the interconnectedness of all things,” Tankian says.

Renowned globally as the electrifying frontman of System Of A Down, Tankian is a Grammy Award-winning artist whose influence spans far beyond music. With over 40 million albums sold worldwide and a Grammy for “B.Y.O.B” in 2006, Tankian has carved out a place in rock history as a boundary-pushing songwriter, composer, and activist. Born in Lebanon to Armenian parents and raised in Los Angeles, his early exposure to diverse cultures laid the foundation for a life of expression rooted in global awareness, justice, and the pursuit of truth.

Tankian’s foray into the visual arts began in 2013 with his debut exhibition Disarming Time in Los Angeles, where he introduced the world to his “musical paintings”—an innovative concept blending original artwork with original scores. Each piece is embedded with a unique musical composition, creating a multi-sensory experience that brings canvas and sound together in dynamic harmony. This hybrid form of expression is accessed through the Arloopa app, which uses optical recognition technology to allow viewers to hear the music while engaging with the artwork visually.

Tankian approaches painting much like composing a song—visceral, layered, and deeply emotional. His work is as much about feeling as it is about form, drawing on abstract expressionism to channel the same intensity that defines his music.

Buddy Iahn
Buddy Iahn

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