Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a graphite drawing by Anthony Goicolea. It dates from 2003 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 2003, this drawing by Anthony Goicolea combines pencil and colored pencil on transparentized paper, mounted behind plexiglass. The work’s fragile support and layered presentation suggest an interest in vulnerability and preservation. Its modest scale and unadorned frame direct attention to the figure, emphasizing intimacy over spectacle.
Subject & Meaning
The figure, seated with legs crossed and wearing a loose shirt and headband, appears contemplative. Small red dots mark the face and arms, suggesting marks of disease, ritual, or emotional imprint. The absence of context or environment isolates the subject, inviting interpretation of internal states—perhaps illness, identity, or psychological tension—without explicit narrative.
Technique & Style
Light, fluid pencil strokes create a sketchlike quality, avoiding heavy definition. Colored pencil adds subtle emphasis through the red dots, applied with precision yet appearing spontaneous. The use of transparent paper allows for layered visibility, while the plexiglass barrier introduces a sense of distance, reinforcing the figure’s isolation.
History & Provenance
The work entered The Museum of Modern Art’s collection shortly after its creation. It is part of a broader body of drawings by Goicolea from the early 2000s that explore the body as a site of ambiguity and transformation. Its inclusion in MoMA’s holdings reflects institutional recognition of his contribution to contemporary drawing practices.
Context
Goicolea’s work from this period engages with themes of queer identity, bodily transformation, and the influence of medical imagery. The red dots may reference dermatological conditions or symbolic markings found in historical portraiture. The work aligns with a trend in early 2000s art that favored psychological nuance over overt political statements.
Legacy
This piece contributes to a redefinition of drawing as a medium for psychological inquiry rather than mere preparatory study. Its restrained palette and deliberate ambiguity have influenced subsequent artists exploring the body through subtle, non-narrative mark-making. The work remains a quiet but persistent example of contemporary drawing’s capacity for emotional resonance.
Artist & collection
Artist
Anthony Goicolea is a New York-based painter, fine art photographer, drafter, and installation artist, born in Atlanta, Georgia.
