Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a gouache drawing by G. Peter Jemison. It dates from 1981 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art. Created in 1981, this mixed-media drawing by G.
About this work
Overview
It is held in the collection of The Museum of Modern Art, where its material simplicity contrasts with its layered conceptual weight.
Created in 1981, this mixed-media drawing by G. Peter Jemison combines gouache, crayon, marker, pen, colored pencil, and collaged paper elements on a printed brown paper bag. The work resists traditional classification, blending drawing and assemblage on an everyday, disposable surface. It is held in the collection of The Museum of Modern Art, where its material simplicity contrasts with its layered conceptual weight.
Subject & Meaning
Though untitled, the work evokes themes of scarcity and deprivation, particularly linked to Indigenous experiences of hunger and displacement. The use of a reused paper bag—commonly associated with food distribution—anchors the piece in material reality, while the layered, fragmented imagery suggests disrupted narratives and unspoken histories. The absence of a formal title invites viewers to confront the silence surrounding systemic neglect.
Technique & Style
Jemison employs gouache for its opaque, matte coverage, layered over crayon and marker lines to build texture and contrast. Cut-and-pasted paper fragments introduce irregular edges and found imagery, disrupting the surface with tactile unpredictability. The combination of industrial printing on the bag base with hand-applied media creates a dialogue between mass production and personal expression, emphasizing the handmade within the mundane.
History & Provenance
The work was produced in 1981 and entered The Museum of Modern Art’s collection shortly thereafter. Its provenance reflects Jemison’s engagement with contemporary Indigenous art practices during a period of renewed cultural visibility. The choice of a paper bag as support aligns with 1970s–80s artistic trends that elevated everyday materials, but here it carries specific cultural resonance tied to survival and resourcefulness.
Context
Emerging from a time when Native American artists were reasserting visibility in mainstream art spaces, this piece reflects broader efforts to center Indigenous perspectives through non-traditional forms. Jemison’s use of humble materials responds to both economic constraints and a deliberate rejection of Eurocentric art norms, positioning the work within a larger movement that valued authenticity over institutional polish.
Legacy
The work contributes to a broader recognition of Indigenous artists who used accessible media to convey complex social truths. Its inclusion in MoMA’s collection helped validate mixed-media practices rooted in everyday life as legitimate art forms. Jemison’s approach continues to influence artists who prioritize material symbolism and cultural memory over conventional aesthetics.
Artist & collection
Artist
G. Peter Jemison is a Native American artist, curator, educator, and author. He is a citizen of the Seneca Nation of Indians.
