Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a watercolor drawing by Dave Muller. It dates from 1998 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Untitled, executed in 1998 by Dave Muller, is a mixed-media work that combines watercolor, synthetic polymer paint, and pencil on notebook paper. Classified as a drawing, the piece is part of the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
Subject & Meaning
The surface is dominated by a vivid yellow field over which irregular gray pencil strokes are dispersed. Across the background the name “Jackson Pollock” appears in uneven blue lettering, its smudged quality suggesting a deliberate subversion of the celebrated abstract expressionist’s identity.
Technique & Style
Muller employs the translucency of watercolor glazing alongside opaque polymer paint, allowing layers of color to interact. The use of ordinary notebook paper contributes a tactile, informal quality, while the vertical black lines, reminiscent of cracks or branches, introduce a linear counterpoint to the loose marks.
History & Provenance
Created in the late 1990s, the work entered the Museum of Modern Art’s holdings shortly after its completion, where it remains on view as part of the institution’s contemporary drawing collection.
Context
The piece engages with the legacy of abstract expressionism by referencing Jackson Pollock, juxtaposing his name with a fragmented, almost graffiti-like treatment. This dialogue reflects a broader 1990s interest in reexamining art historical narratives through appropriation and material experimentation.
Artist & collection
