Arshile Gorky (1904-1948) was an Armenian-American painter, often hailed as one of the pivotal figures in the progression from Abstract Expressionism to Surrealism in the 20th century art scene. Born Vostanik Manoug Adoian in the village of Khorgom, situated in the Ottoman Empire (present-day Turkey), Gorky experienced the Armenian Genocide firsthand, which had profound implications for his personal life and artistic expression.
Gorky’s style underwent significant transformations throughout his career. Initially, his works bore a resemblance to the Post-Impressionist and Cézannesque modes. As he matured artistically, he delved into Cubism, and eventually, under the influence of Surrealism and his friend André Breton, Gorky’s style became increasingly abstract and filled with symbolic content. The resulting works were characterized by their fluid lines, organic forms, and emotional intensity.
His art was deeply influenced by his tragic experiences during the Armenian Genocide, his personal hardships in America, and his admiration for artists such as Joan Miró, Pablo Picasso, and Roberto Matta. The tragedies Gorky faced, particularly the loss of his mother, became central themes in his art.
Artists with a style or approach similar to Gorky’s include Willem de Kooning, who was deeply influenced by Gorky’s abstraction techniques, and Roberto Matta, for their shared exploration of the subconscious through abstract forms.
In summation, Arshile Gorky’s influence on American art, particularly the Abstract Expressionist movement, is substantial. His ability to merge his personal traumas with broader movements in art has made his works deeply emotive, bridging European techniques with emerging American styles.
Useful Links
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arshile_Gorky
https://www.wikiart.org/en/arshile-gorky
