This exhibition of drawings, mostly never before shown, and paintings from this early period reference this seminal period when so many artists were infused with these then-avant garde sensibilities. It was during this period when Gorky’s acquaintance was made and would leave its profound impact upon such artists as John Graham, Willem De Kooning, Hans Burkhardt, Stuart Davis, David Burliuk, Ethel Schwabacher (who ultimately wrote a book on Gorky), Isamu Noguchi and a great many other notables.

The exhibition is accompanied by a 93-page illustrated text published for the occasion, with an essay by leading Gorky scholar, Melvin P. Lader. Dr. Lader co-curated the recent major retrospective of Gorky drawings at the Whitney Museum of Art in New York and the Menil Collection in Houston. Dr. Lader’s text expands upon his extensive writings on Gorky, offering new references and insights on this legendary artist.