Artwork

Untitled

Untitled, by Dyani White Hawk, oil, 2019
Untitled, by Dyani White Hawk, oil, 2019

Untitled is an oil print by Dyani White Hawk. It dates from 2019 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 2019, this untitled work by Dyani White Hawk is a screen‑printed image enhanced with foil appliqués. The piece belongs to the print category and is part of the permanent collection at the Museum of Modern Art. Its surface is marked by a lively interplay of hues and patterned motifs, while the metallic foil introduces reflective highlights that catch the viewer’s eye.

Technique & Style

The artist employed a traditional screen‑printing process to lay down layers of pigment, then applied thin sheets of foil to selected areas. This combination yields a tactile surface where flat color fields meet glossy, metallic accents. The foil not only adds visual contrast but also creates a subtle three‑dimensional quality, inviting close inspection of the work’s materiality.

Subject & Meaning

While the composition does not depict a specific narrative, the interwoven patterns and vibrant palette suggest an exploration of visual rhythm and cultural symbolism. The juxtaposition of printed imagery with reflective foil may allude to themes of visibility, transformation, and the dialogue between traditional craft techniques and contemporary artistic practice.

History & Provenance

The print was produced in 2019 and subsequently entered the collection of the Museum of Modern Art, where it remains on view. Its acquisition reflects the institution’s interest in contemporary Native American artists and in works that experiment with print media and mixed materials.

Context
The work thus engages broader conversations about cultural continuity, material experimentation, and the evolving role of printmaking in contemporary art.

Dyani White Hawk’s practice often merges historic Native American motifs with modern artistic strategies. This untitled piece continues that trajectory, situating screen‑print—a medium associated with mass production—within a fine‑art context through the addition of hand‑applied foil. The work thus engages broader conversations about cultural continuity, material experimentation, and the evolving role of printmaking in contemporary art.

Artist & collection

Artist

Dyani White Hawk

Dyani White Hawk Polk is an American contemporary artist and curator of Sicangu Lakota, German, and Welsh ancestry based out of Minnesota.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Museum of Modern Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.