Special Sub-Topic: Arshile Gorky Click Here To Play: Arshile Gorky

Of what nationality was Gorky?

Armenian. His father left the family and went to America in 1908 to avoid being drafted into the Turkish army and forced to kill fellow Armenians.

What was Gorky's real name?

Vosdanik Adoian. He changed it later in life because Russians were more accepted in the States at that time than Armenians were.

With whom did Gorky come to America?

His sister, Vartoosh. Gorky's mother took her children from place to place, eventually settling in Aikesdan. The family had to flee Aikesdan in 1915 when the Turks attacked and began exterminating Armenians.

What did Gorky's mother die of?

starvation. In 1919, 15-year-old Gorky held his mother in his arms as she died of starvation.

What school did Gorky not attend?

Albany School of Design. Gorky was a part-time instructor at the New School of Design in Boston, even though he was very young. He eventually lost interest in that, and moved to New York City.

What was Gorky's little sister named?

Vartoosh & Vartush. Come on, I practically gave this one to you. Within a year after their mother's death, Vartoosh and Vosdanik worked their way through Europe and eventually to America.

Who did Gorky say that he had studied under in Paris?

Wassily Kandinsky. He lied. He made this up to go along with his story of a Russian heritage.

What does 'Arshile' translate to in English?

Achilles & Achiles.

And what does 'Gorky' translate to in English?

bitter & bitterness. Let's recap: Gorky changed his name to a Russian one to hide his Armenian heritage, as Russians were more accepted in the States at that time.

He met Gorky in the early 1930s and looked up to him. What artist became a leader of the Abstract Expressionist movement due to Gorky's influence?

William de Kooning & de Kooning & Kooning.

What was Gorky NOT involved with?

1931 World's Fair. When the Public Works of Art Project ended, Gorky became part of the Mural Division of the Works Progress Administration.Federal Art Project (WAP-FAP), and his work here led to him painting a mural for the 1939 World's Fair.

Who was the Chilean surrealist that Gorky met and was influenced by in 1939?

Roberto Matta & Matta & Mata. His experience with Matta was the last step in developing his style.

Which of these did Gorky NOT paint?

Winter at Kharkom. I made up 'Winter in Kharkom'...but 'The Liver in the Cock's Comb' was considered Gorky's masterpiece. This piece is one of the links between European Modern Art, and American Abstract Art.

Which of these misfortunes did NOT happen to Gorky during the final years of his life?

his liver was wrecked from a long battle with alcoholism. Over 30 paintings were lost in the studio fire, he had to have surgery for cancer of the colon, and he was in a horrible car accident. Gorky's life was very tragic.

How did Gorky die?

he hanged himself. After he was paralyzed in a car accident which broke his neck and left his painting arm temporarily paralyzed, his wife left him and took the kids (nice). This was apparently the last straw, and on July 21, 1948, Gorky wrote 'Goodbye My Loveds' on a box in his home and hung himself.