Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a pastel print by Chris Ofili. It dates from 2021 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Untitled (2021) is a mixed-media print by British artist Chris Ofili, combining woodcut monoprint techniques with pastel and gold leaf. The work is part of The Museum of Modern Art’s collection.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure, depicted with outstretched limbs and an obscured face, is set against a predominantly black background with expressive color accents. Interpretation of the subject's meaning is left open due to the abstract composition and obscured facial features.
Technique & Style
Ofili employs bold lines, muted tones for the figure, and vibrant colors in the background, augmented by subtle shading, texture, and the luminous effect of gold leaf and pastel. This combines to create a complex, layered visual experience.
History & Provenance
Created in 2021, the work is characteristic of Ofili’s experimental approach to materials, though it lacks the explicit unconventional elements (e.g., elephant dung, pornographic cut-outs) seen in some of his other works. It is now held in the collection of The Museum of Modern Art.
Context
While reminiscent of Ofili’s signature bold color and texture use, this work’s abstractness and use of gold leaf may also reflect broader contemporary art explorations of materiality and the sublime.
Legacy
As a relatively recent addition to MoMA’s collection, the long-term impact and interpretation of *Untitled* (2021) within Ofili’s oeuvre and contemporary art discourse are still unfolding.
Artist & collection
Artist
Christopher Ofili (born 10 October 1968) is a British painter who won the Turner Prize in 1998.
