Mechanics of Flying - Arshile Gorky

A 1940 abstract composition by Arshile Gorky, featuring biomorphic forms and a balanced palette of muted tones, black, and red.

Mechanics of Flying, painted by Arshile Gorky in 1940, represents a period of transition in the artist's career. During this time, Gorky moved away from the direct influence of Pablo Picasso and Joan Miró, developing a personal visual language that bridged the gap between European modernism and the emerging American Abstract Expressionist movement.

The composition features large, biomorphic shapes that occupy the pictorial space with a sense of weight and balance. Gorky employs a palette of muted earth tones, punctuated by stark black forms and flashes of red. These shapes suggest mechanical or biological components, yet they remain elusive and non-representational. The central area contains more rigid, linear elements that contrast with the fluid, organic curves surrounding them. This interplay between the structured and the amorphous creates a tension that defines the work.

Gorky was known for his meticulous approach to painting, often applying thin layers of pigment to achieve a smooth, matte surface. In this piece, the application of colour is deliberate, with flat planes of tone that avoid traditional modelling or perspective. The work does not aim to depict a specific scene or object, but rather to explore the relationship between form, space, and the subconscious mind. By stripping away narrative detail, Gorky invites the viewer to engage with the painting as a purely visual experience. The title itself, Mechanics of Flying, provides a conceptual framework, suggesting movement or technical assembly, while the imagery remains firmly rooted in the realm of abstraction. This piece is a clear example of Gorky's ability to synthesise disparate influences into a cohesive, individual style that would later inform the development of mid-century American art.