Feast of Ashes: The Life and Art of David Ohannessian

by Sato Moughalian

The compelling life story of Armenian ceramicist David Ohannessian, whose work changed the face of Jerusalem―and a granddaughter's search for his legacy. Along the cobbled streets and golden walls of Jerusalem, brilliantly glazed tiles catch the light and beckon the eye. These colorful wares―known as Armenian ceramics―are iconic features of the Holy City. Silently, these works of ceramic art―art that also graces homes and museums around the world―represent a riveting story of resilience and In the final years of the Ottoman Empire, as hundreds of thousands of Armenians were forcibly marched to their deaths, one man carried the secrets of this age-old art with him into exile toward the Syrian desert. Feast of Ashes tells the story of David Ohannessian, the renowned ceramicist who in 1919 founded the art of Armenian pottery in Jerusalem, where his work and that of his followers is now celebrated as a local treasure. Ohannessian's life encompassed some of the most tumultuous upheavals of the modern Middle East. Born in an isolated Anatolian mountain village, he witnessed the rise of violent nationalism in the waning years of the Ottoman Empire, endured arrest and deportation in the Armenian Genocide, founded a new ceramics tradition in Jerusalem under the British Mandate, and spent his final years, uprooted, in Cairo and Beirut. Ohannessian's life story is revealed by his granddaughter Sato Moughalian, weaving together family narratives with newly unearthed archival findings. Witnessing her personal quest for the man she never met, we come to understand a universal story of migration, survival, and hope.

Genres: Nonfiction, History

440 pages, Hardcover

First published April 23, 2019

Reviews

[ReemK10 (Paper Pills) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading #FeastOfAshes while interacting with its author, the amazing Sato Moughalian, who very generously accompanied me during my entire read. This read has been nothing short of a fabulous feast for the eyes! This is a lovingly researched story of a grandfather and his family that had to first escape an Armenian genocide, and then an Israeli occupation, defying insurmountable odds to become a master craftsman of glazed ceramic tiles. Ohannessian's journey was testament to his creativity and intelligence, and his artistic creations are simply spectacular! I found myself posting photo after photo of Ohanessian tiles on my Instagram - paperpills10. I loved the book! I loved the author! I loved my reading experience and hope that the next reader will have the same reading pleasure that I had.
#FeastOfAshes #Moughalian2019

[ArmenM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Feast of Ashes is a sweeping historical epic about loss and perseverance, family and separation, and artistic and personal redemption in the midst of the savagery of war, deportation, genocide and nation-building. It’s David Lean meets David McCullough. Make no mistake — this is not a dry recitation about the establishment of the ceramic arts in early 20th century Jerusalem. Sato Moughalian’s lucid, erudite and emotional prose achieves what few others have — a historical narrative that evokes a time and a place in conflagration, as well as the story of a man — David Ohannessian — on an epic journey of discovery through love and artistic redemption.

[Dave M · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful, thoughtful story interweaving the personal, historical, artistic and so much more. Everyone has a story indeed!

[Peter Bucknell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The depth and detail in this book is astounding. I'm glad there are authors out there doing the hard work so we can take it all in in one masterfully written work!

[Angela R · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Feast of Ashes, family history is intertwined with world history—specifically the Armenian Genocide and the years when Jerusalem was under British Mandate, as well as the turbulent times that ended the Mandate. Sato Moughalian is an elegant storyteller and has created a riveting biography of her grandfather David Ohanessian and his art, bookended by her own equally fascinating quest to uncover more of the details of her predecessors’ lives. This is a story that, for me, highlights the possibilities of the human spirit in the most dire of circumstances. I highly recommend this beautiful and hard-to-put-down book!

[Marina · Rating 5 out of 5]

The life and times of master craftsman David Ohanessian who started the art of Armenian ceramics in Jerusalem. A story of perseverance, resilience and generosity, beautifully told and superbly researched by his granddaughter.

[Irving Waters · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was really blown away by this book. I have always been interested in the fate of artists and their work in the time of war and this journey with the author's grandfather was a fascinating read.

[UniHill · Rating 5 out of 5]

For years we have bought ceramics that trace back to the life and choices made by Tavit (David) Ohannessian.
During a recent visit to Jerusalem we were told of the book by Hagop Karakashian.
This book invites celebration, curiosity, weeping, contemplation, and delight.
Superbly written it is essential history and a family story written in a personal way.
It is not a book to rush through and ... it was difficult to put down.
If Sato plays the flute as well as she tells a story.... I need to hear her play.

[Eve · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stunning work of cultural, political, and family history, beautifully and heartbreakingly intertwined.

[Sher (in H-Town) · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing account of Tavit (David) Ohannessian, his life, his art, the craft of Armenian ceramic tile, the history of Turkish Armenian genocide and the will of that people to survive and flourish. I came to this book by way of a neighbor who works with the brother of the author. It’s not a book I normally would have ever even known about or if I did, I can’t imagine I would have delved into. What an honor to now be privy to the incredible human story told within. An impressive work, story, history, research marvel and more. I hope I can one day see one of the tile installations in person.