Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Catherine Yass. It dates from 2015 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
It is part of a larger series exploring spatial tension and material decay.
Untitled is a 2015 print from a multi-technique portfolio by Catherine Yass, combining etching, digital print, carborundum relief, screenprint, and other processes. It is part of a larger series exploring spatial tension and material decay. The work is held in the collection of The Museum of Modern Art, New York, and reflects Yass’s interest in architectural surfaces and the traces of human intervention.
Subject & Meaning
The image depicts an interior space marked by disorder: splattered pigments, a damaged chair, and an open door suggest abandonment or abrupt departure. A central blue-framed window stands out as a zone of stillness amid the chaos, contrasting the violence of the painted surfaces. The work evokes the aftermath of creative or emotional upheaval, where structure and ruin coexist without resolution.
Technique & Style
Yass employed a range of printmaking methods—etching, carborundum, digital printing—to layer texture and tone. Rough, gestural marks mimic the physicality of paint splatter, while precise lines define architectural elements like the window and door. The juxtaposition of controlled linework with chaotic textures creates a visual dialectic between order and disruption.
History & Provenance
Created in 2015, Untitled was produced as part of a limited portfolio of mixed-media prints. It entered The Museum of Modern Art’s collection shortly after its completion, reflecting institutional interest in contemporary print practices that challenge traditional boundaries. The work has not been widely exhibited outside MoMA’s holdings.
Context
Yass’s work in this period engages with post-industrial architecture and the psychological weight of empty spaces. Her use of multiple print techniques aligns with broader trends in 21st-century printmaking, where artists blend analog and digital processes to interrogate perception and materiality. The piece resonates with themes explored by contemporaries like Rachel Whiteread and Tacita Dean.
Legacy
Untitled contributes to an evolving discourse on print as a medium for documenting impermanence. Its hybrid technique has influenced younger artists experimenting with layered, non-traditional print methods. While not widely reproduced, its presence in MoMA’s collection ensures its role in shaping narratives around contemporary printmaking’s conceptual and material possibilities.
Artist & collection
