Karine's bio

  

Karine (Kurkjian) is a versatile professional with experience as a writer, photographer, teacher, and social worker. She holds an M.A. in Education Administration from California State University, Los Angeles (May 1997) and a B.A. in Photography and Social Work from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (May 1985).

Karine's literary journey reflects her adaptability and creative evolution. She published her poetry book A Mosaic of Words and had a book presentation in Cuenca, Spain, on March 9, 2025. Initially writing poetry in Armenian and Farsi, she transitioned to English in May 2005, embracing it as a universal medium for her thoughts and emotions. In 2010, Karine translated her mother's self-help articles from Farsi into English, publishing them in the book Inner Heaven. She published it in Spanish in 2024. She cherishes documenting her family's history through the dual lens of photography and storytelling.

Karine's essays have been featured in prominent Armenian publications, including the Armenian Mirror-Spectator, The Armenian Weekly, and the Armenian Reporter. Her photography has been featured in exhibitions across the Los Angeles area. Her photos have been published in notable magazines, including Armenian International Magazine (AIM), Ararat Quarterly, The Guardian, and the Glendale News-Press. She participated in photography treks in Portugal (October 1999) and China (October 2000) to capture the essence of these regions.

Fluent in English, Armenian, Farsi, and Spanish, and proficient in Italian, Karine's multicultural background enriches her artistic perspective. In December 2007, she was invited by the Department of Fine and Applied Arts at the Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi (RMUTT) in Bangkok, Thailand, to showcase her photography from diverse cultures.