Revelation of Vostanik Manoug Adoian (Arshile Gorky)
Laura MargosianJanuary 6, 2026Last Updated: January 11, 2026
5 4 minutes read
Marvin Julian, student of John Singer Sargent and Armenian American fine artist and oil painter, was Arshile Gorky’s art teacher during his foundational training at the New School of Design and Illustration in Boston, Mass., in 1925. Marvin is seen pictured with Gorky (referenced as "Felix Chookjian”).
The following is a biographical narrative poem, dedicated to the author’s great-uncle and fine artist Marvin Julian, Gorky’s early art teacher.
Deep in the lap of evening I drink your imagery which seeps into my center where ancestral ages are awakening — questions formulating that do not fit into language that I speak — questions ripening, not yet uttered aloud.
Laura Margosian is the granddaughter of Armenian immigrants from Hussenig, Kharpert and Arabkir, who escaped Turkish persecution and massacres. She is an educator with a background in cultural anthropology that deeply informs her innate curiosity and sensitivity. She also has a lifelong love of the culinary arts, holistic health and dancing. Laura began writing poetry as a child while exploring the seashores, forests and mountains of New England. Her lushly lyrical work, inspired by the natural world, explores themes of the heart, social justice, memory and identity. Her poetry has appeared in various publications, and she received the Armenian Allied Arts Association Award for her poem about abstract expressionist Arshile Gorky. She is available for readings, workshops and collaborations. You may follow her on Instagram @Laura_Margosian.
5 Comments
Shouldn’t it be Vostanik with an ‘o’?
Hello, yes thank you for your comment and will update spelling accordingly. In addition to the latin spelling there are various spellings, often seen as Vosdanik Manoog Adoian.
Yes, indeed. Thank you.
Hello, yes, thank you for your comment. The name spelling will be updated accordingly. In addition to the latin spelling there are various spellings including Vosdanik Manoog Adoian.
Shouldn’t it be Vostanik with an ‘o’?
Hello, yes thank you for your comment and will update spelling accordingly. In addition to the latin spelling there are various spellings, often seen as Vosdanik Manoog Adoian.
Yes, indeed. Thank you.
Hello, yes, thank you for your comment. The name spelling will be updated accordingly. In addition to the latin spelling there are various spellings including Vosdanik Manoog Adoian.
also often written as Vosdanig