Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Society
Greater Washington, DC Chapter
4906 Flint Dr. Bethesda, MD 20816
hamazkayindc@yahoo.com
PRESS RELEASE
November 19, 2004
Contact: Lorig Armenian
E-mail: lorig_armenian@hotmail.com;
hamazkayindc@yahoo.com
Arshile Gorky Expert Discusses Influence of Armenian Culture, Genocide
on Artist’s Work
Washington, D.C.– Renowned art historian and specialist on Arshile
Gorky, Dr. Melvin Lader, presented his insights at a public lecture at
the Armenian Embassy sponsored by the Greater Washington DC Chapter of
the Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Society and under the
auspices of the Ambassador and Mrs. Arman Kirakossian. A
standing-room-only crowd of over 150 people gathered on November 5th
to hear Dr. Lader’s talk and slide presentation, titled “Arshile
Gorky: the Case of an Unlikely Modernist.”
Dr. Lader, a professor of art history at George Washington University,
is a respected authority on the works of abstract expressionist
pioneer Arshile Gorky, having lectured and published extensively on
the life and works of the artist. He most recently curated (with
Janice C. Lee) an exhibition of Gorky’s drawings at the Whitney Museum
of American Art in New York and the Menil Collection in Houston in
2004.
Drawing upon his research of Gorky’s work, the artist’s writings as
well as side-by-side visual comparisons, Dr Lader highlighted various
influences in Gorky’s life that were eventually reflected in the
artist’s work. These included memories of Gorky’s childhood in Khorkom
(a village near Lake Van in Armenia), color and imagery from Armenian
Christian art, Gorky’s haunting sufferings and loss of family during
the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923, and his feelings of exile after
coming to America. He also cited the influence of other artists such
as Cezanne and surrealist Joan Miro.
In referring to Gorky’s famous Portrait of the Artist and His Mother,
Dr. Lader states, “Alone in New York, the memory of his mother, her
tragic death, and the Genocide weighed heavily on his mind. And he
undoubtedly conceived of the painting as a tribute to his mother and
her role in his life. As such, it was the first major work he created
descending from his Armenian memories which would become a central
theme in most of his mature art.”
The formal presentation was followed by a question-and-answer period
and reception in the Embassy, during which Dr. Lader responded to
specific inquiries from the audience. In his opening remarks,
Amb. Kirakossian stated, “I want to thank Hamazkayin for organizing
this event. Obviously we have good cooperation with this society of
dedicated people who are doing all their best to preserve Armenian
culture.” He went on to acknowledge Dr. Lader’s contributions to the
study of this pioneer in American art.
“Dr. Lader’s engaging talk brought to light the profound impact of
Gorky’s Armenian experience on his art, and by extension its impact on
expressionism in general,” stated Maggie Simonian, Chairwoman of the
Hamazkayin Washington Chapter. “We are pleased to have been able to
bring Dr. Lader’s insights and research to the community and thank the
Armenian Embassy for their gracious hospitality and collaboration in
this event.”
Founded in 1928, the Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural
Society is dedicated to the preservation and advancement of the
history and the cultural heritage of the Armenian nation. Hamazkayin
has chapters throughout the United States, Canada, South America,
Europe, the Middle East and Australia, as well as the Republic of
Armenia.