Biographer and author Nouritza Matossian is part of Fresno State participation in Gorky Festival

British author and actress Nouritza Matossian will lecture on 20th century abstract-expressionist painter Arshile Gorky on Tuesday, April 18 and perform a play about the artist April 19 at California State University, Fresno. Those events and several others on campus are part of the Gorky Festival sponsored by the Fresno Art Museum and the Armenian Museum.

Matossian, who is a human rights activist in the arts, contemporary music, history and Armenia, last year published a biography, “Black Angel, A Life of Arshile Gorky.” As part of the University Lecture Series, her topic will be “A Case of Mistaken Identity: Why Arshile Gorky Changed His Name” at 7:30 p.m. April 18 at the Satellite Student Union, 2485 E. San Ramon.

Matossian’s multimedia dramatization will be performed at 8 p.m. April 19 in the Satellite Student Union, sponsored by the School of Arts and Humanities. There is no charge for the performance or for several other Gorky Festival events in which Fresno State is involved.

The Department of Music has scheduled a concert at 8 p.m. Monday, April 17, in the Music Building’s Concert Hall, featuring music from Armenia and tunes popular during the time Gorky spent in New York. The event is coordinated by Dr. Maria Amirkhanian, a lecturer in music.

Dr. Laura Meyer, an assistant professor of art history will discuss “Arshile Gorky: Why Abstraction?” at 4 p.m. April 18 in the Conley Lecture Hall.

As part of the festival, the Fresno State Department of Art and Design is exhibiting student art inspired by Gorky at Fresno City Hall, 8 a.m-5 p.m. weekdays through Thursday, April 27.

The University Lecture Series is a program of the Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, with additional support provided by Coke and James Hallowell, the University Student Union, Associated Students, KJWL-FM and Piccadilly Inn Hotels.

Tickets are $10 general admission; $6 Fresno State faculty, staff, Alumni Association members and seniors; $5 elementary and secondary students; $2 Fresno State students. On April 18, prices increase by $2 for general admission, faculty, staff and Alumni Association members.

Information and tickets are available at the University Student Union Information Center or by calling 559.278.2078. Tickets will be sold on a space-available basis beginning at 6:30 p.m. April 18 at the Satellite Student Union Box Office.