Arshile Gorky: A Bridge to Abstract Expressionism

Arshile Gorky, an influential figure in the earliest inception of the Abstract Expressionist movement, is celebrated for a unique style that merges surrealism with a profound emotional depth. One of the most transformative periods in his life unfolded in Greenwich Village during the 1930s and 1940s. The neighborhood, with its vibrant artistic scene and diverse cultural influences, served as a fertile ground for Gorky’s development as a transformational artist.

Arshile Gorky was born Vostanik Manoug Adoian on April 15, 1904, in what was then the Ottoman Empire (today’s Eastern Turkey). He fled his homeland in 1915 during the Armenian genocide. He arrived in New York City in the 1920s and embarked upon a journey of self-reinvention and aesthetic innovation that would parallel New York’s own transformation from an emerging city into a global metropolis and cultural epicenter. In the same year that saw the premiere of George Gershwin’s ‘Rhapsody in Blue,’ the public opening of the Morgan Library, the completion of the skyscraper known as the American Radiator Building, and in many respects, the birth of the Harlem Renaissance, Gorky took up residence in Greenwich Village and began forging a path toward becoming one of the most significant artists of the American avant-garde.

His early work was heavily influenced by European modernists, yet he gradually developed a unique style that synthesized these influences with his own experiences of loss and displacement. His later works like The Liver is the Cock’s Comb (1944), One Year the Milkweed (1944), and The Betrothal II (1947) immediately prefigured Abstract Expressionism, and leaders in the New York School have acknowledged Gorky’s considerable influence. Gorky’s distinct signature style of lyrical abstraction created a new language in the art world. Known for his draftsmanship, he used twisted but elegant lines to bring in ‘biomorphic’ forms in his abstract paintings along with an overlay of colors to create a complex landscape of lines and color on the canvas.

In the atmosphere of Greenwich Village and the area South of Union Square during the artistically explosive 1940s, Gorky’s life intertwined with a generation of artists who would come to be known as the Abstract Expressionists. One of his closest friends was Willem de Kooning, a fellow artist whose work formed the cornerstone of the New York School. The two shared a camaraderie that extended beyond art; they frequented the Cedar Tavern, amongst other hangouts, and discussed their ideas and philosophies, each pushing the other toward greater innovation.

Gorky’s friendships with other artists who lived and worked in our neighborhoods, including Franz Kline and Jackson Pollock, were instrumental in his development. These relationships fostered an environment of experimentation and collaboration, as they collectively sought to redefine art in the wake of the traumatic experiences of both World Wars. Gorky’s contributions were vital; he not only influenced his contemporaries but also laid the groundwork for future movements.

While Gorky faced personal struggles and tragedies that would ultimately overshadow his career, his impact on the art world endures. To celebrate the centenary of the great artist’s move to New York City, Hauser & Wirth Gallery in SoHo is currently presenting ‘Arshile Gorky / New York City,’ a collection of paintings and works on paper, many not seen in over 40 years, that spotlight Gorky’s development of his original artistic language and frames the work as the product of the influence of the great American city that was his home. The exhibition reminds us of his innovative spirit and the emotional depth of his work. By examining Gorky’s life and relationships, we gain a deeper understanding of how the Abstract Expressionist movement was not just about painting but also about community and shared experiences.

To illuminate the formal influence of New York City on Gorky’s body of work, Hauser and Wirth has also created a map that selectively illustrates Gorky’s relationship the city, the place that nurtured his vision and which he, in turn, transformed with his unique approach to art making.

South of Union Square, home to the New York School of Artists and birthplace of Abstract Expressionism, remains in peril. Despite the incredible history that defines the area, and Village Preservation’s fight to preserve this neighborhood, it’s yet to receive the landmark status it needs and deserves. To help get the area landmarked, send letters to city officials here. To learn more about the artistic history of this neighborhood, explore our Artists Tour South of Union Square.