Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a drawing by Christopher Knowles. It dates from 1983 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1983, this untitled work by Christopher Knowles consists of a pattern of tiny red and green dots arranged on Japanese paper. The composition forms a central cross whose outline alternates between the two colors, while the surrounding field is dominated by red. Each dot corresponds to an individual keystroke, turning a textual grid into a visual field.
Subject & Meaning
The piece translates a sequence of typed characters into a geometric design, suggesting a dialogue between language and visual form. By reducing letters to colored points, Knowles foregrounds the materiality of writing while inviting viewers to consider how meaning can emerge from repetitive, seemingly arbitrary marks.
Technique & Style
Knowles employed a typewriter to imprint each dot onto delicate Japanese paper, using the machine’s mechanical precision to generate a uniform grid. The alternating red and green hues are achieved through separate typing passes, creating a rhythmic zigzag pattern that blurs the line between drawing and typographic inscription.
History & Provenance
Born in 1959 in New York City, Knowles gained early attention when his text appeared in Robert Wilson’s minimalist opera Einstein on the Beach in 1976, linking his textual practice to avant‑garde performance. The 1983 drawing reflects his ongoing exploration of language as visual material, a concern that has persisted throughout his career as poet and painter.
Artist & collection
Artist
Christopher Knowles (born 1959) is an American poet and painter. He was born in New York City on May 4, 1959, and at an early age received a diagnosis of possible brain damage. He is often referred to as autistic. In…
