Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a paint drawing by Cheryl Donegan. It dates from 1993 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1993, this work by Cheryl Donegan is a drawing executed in synthetic polymer paint on paper. It belongs to a body of work that interrogates visual representation and institutional norms, though it departs from her more commonly known video pieces. The physicality of the paint and its application suggest a deliberate engagement with materiality as a conceptual tool.
Subject & Meaning
The composition features a single, amorphous green form with a dense, stem-like base on a bare white ground. Its resemblance to organic matter—such as a leaf or fungal growth—is suggestive but deliberately ambiguous. The work resists clear symbolism, instead inviting attention to the act of marking and the weight of paint as a carrier of meaning beyond depiction.
Technique & Style
Donegan applied the paint in thick, textured layers, employing impasto to create a tactile, almost sculptural surface. Darker areas within the green mass indicate built-up pigment, enhancing the sense of volume. The contrast between the heavy, opaque form and the untouched paper emphasizes the objecthood of the painting, challenging traditional distinctions between drawing and painting.
History & Provenance
The work entered the collection of The Museum of Modern Art in New York, where it is held as part of its contemporary drawings and prints holdings. Its acquisition reflects institutional recognition of Donegan’s contribution to post-1980s conceptual practices that prioritize material inquiry over narrative clarity.
Context
Made during a period when feminist and institutional critique were central to contemporary art discourse, the piece aligns with artists who questioned how gender and authority are encoded in visual culture. Donegan’s use of humble materials and gestural marks subverts expectations of refinement, aligning with broader critiques of artistic hierarchy.
Legacy
This work contributes to a broader reevaluation of drawing as a site for material experimentation rather than mere preparatory sketching. Donegan’s approach influenced later artists exploring the intersection of bodily presence, paint, and institutional space, reinforcing the value of process over polished outcome.
Artist & collection
Artist
Cheryl Donegan (born 1962) is an American conceptual artist. She is known for her video works, such as Head (1993) and Kiss My Royal Irish Ass (1992), which targeted the cliches of the female body in art and other issues of art politics.
