Henry Gorski
Encyclopedia
Henry Gorski was an American Figurative Expressionist
artist. Born in Buffalo, New York
, of Polish extraction, Gorski received his BFA from the University of Buffalo in 1939. Gorski lived in the New Haven, Connecticut
, area, and was married to the textile artist Bernie Gorski.
Active from 1948 through 2003, Gorski's method and style developed throughout his long career. Gorski is widely known for his sports lithographs and self-portraits. His canvases deal actively with religion, politics, and human suffering.
Gorski's early work deals largely with his experiences in World War II
while serving as a cartographer in the U.S. Navy. Later works deal with discomfort with the Vietnam war
("Ship of Fools"), sexuality ("The Rape of the Rose", and his own family life "The Child of Darkness". Gorski termed much of his work from the 1960s as his "Pain-Things Series". These paintings were exhibited nationally and internationally and hung alongside works by Robert Rauschenberg
, Andy Warhol
, and Elaine de Kooning
.
Later in his career, Gorski became very interested in the role of the athlete in society and created many art themed paintings, including "Blocked" and "Black Hawk Goalie".
Gorski's last works dealt primarily with issues of disability, depicting autistic and developmentally disabled youths.
Many of Gorski's works have been collected by Albert J. Levis and are now part of the permanent collection of the Museum of the Creative Process
. Levis, a psychiatrist
, worked closely with Gorski, using Gorski's canvases to articulate a theory of unconscious dynamics present within the creative process.
In 2009, a Gorski retrospective was held at the Chaffee Art Center
in Rutland, Vermont
, titled "Stealing the Fire of the Gods". In 2011, the Art's Alive Gallery at Main Street Landing's Union Station in Burlington, Vermont, hosted the Gorski retrospective in an exhibit titled "Art as Evidence of Science".
American Figurative Expressionism
According to Marilyn Stokstad, the art historian:-Early Expressionistic movements:Expressionistic movements before and after 1910 were developed by three artists' groups:• The Fauves • Die Brücke • Der Blaue Reiter...
artist. Born in Buffalo, New York
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
, of Polish extraction, Gorski received his BFA from the University of Buffalo in 1939. Gorski lived in the New Haven, Connecticut
New Haven, Connecticut
New Haven is the second-largest city in Connecticut and the sixth-largest in New England. According to the 2010 Census, New Haven's population increased by 5.0% between 2000 and 2010, a rate higher than that of the State of Connecticut, and higher than that of the state's five largest cities, and...
, area, and was married to the textile artist Bernie Gorski.
Active from 1948 through 2003, Gorski's method and style developed throughout his long career. Gorski is widely known for his sports lithographs and self-portraits. His canvases deal actively with religion, politics, and human suffering.
Gorski's early work deals largely with his experiences in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
while serving as a cartographer in the U.S. Navy. Later works deal with discomfort with the Vietnam war
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
("Ship of Fools"), sexuality ("The Rape of the Rose", and his own family life "The Child of Darkness". Gorski termed much of his work from the 1960s as his "Pain-Things Series". These paintings were exhibited nationally and internationally and hung alongside works by Robert Rauschenberg
Robert Rauschenberg
Robert Rauschenberg was an American artist who came to prominence in the 1950s transition from Abstract Expressionism to Pop Art. Rauschenberg is well-known for his "Combines" of the 1950s, in which non-traditional materials and objects were employed in innovative combinations...
, Andy Warhol
Andy Warhol
Andrew Warhola , known as Andy Warhol, was an American painter, printmaker, and filmmaker who was a leading figure in the visual art movement known as pop art...
, and Elaine de Kooning
Elaine de Kooning
Elaine de Kooning was an Abstract Expressionist, Figurative Expressionist painter in the post-World War II era and editorial associate for Art News magazine...
.
Later in his career, Gorski became very interested in the role of the athlete in society and created many art themed paintings, including "Blocked" and "Black Hawk Goalie".
Gorski's last works dealt primarily with issues of disability, depicting autistic and developmentally disabled youths.
Many of Gorski's works have been collected by Albert J. Levis and are now part of the permanent collection of the Museum of the Creative Process
Museum of the Creative Process
The Museum of the Creative Process is a museum and learning center dedicated to understanding the role of creativity as a conflict resolving mechanism. Founded and directed by Albert Levis, M.D., the Museum brings together a global collection of contemporary and historical pieces of artwork. The...
. Levis, a psychiatrist
Psychiatrist
A psychiatrist is a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders. All psychiatrists are trained in diagnostic evaluation and in psychotherapy...
, worked closely with Gorski, using Gorski's canvases to articulate a theory of unconscious dynamics present within the creative process.
In 2009, a Gorski retrospective was held at the Chaffee Art Center
Chaffee Art Center
The Chaffee Art Center for the Visual Arts is an art center located in Rutland, Vermont. The center's exhibit gallery usually displays artwork made by artists that reside in the Rutland County area.-External links:*...
in Rutland, Vermont
Rutland, Vermont
Rutland, Vermont may refer to:*Rutland , Vermont*Rutland , Vermont*Rutland County, Vermont*West Rutland, Vermont...
, titled "Stealing the Fire of the Gods". In 2011, the Art's Alive Gallery at Main Street Landing's Union Station in Burlington, Vermont, hosted the Gorski retrospective in an exhibit titled "Art as Evidence of Science".