Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Cape Town Gardens Media Group. It dates from 1989 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art. Created in 1989 by the Gardens Media Group of Cape Town, this black‑and‑white screenprint is one of a five‑piece series of posters.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1989 by the Gardens Media Group of Cape Town, this black‑and‑white screenprint is one of a five‑piece series of posters. The work is part of the Museum of Modern Art’s collection and measures as a single sheet printed in a graphic, high‑contrast style.
Subject & Meaning
The image depicts a tightly grouped assembly of workers inside an industrial space. Figures stand shoulder‑to‑shoulder, some with raised fists, others clutching tools, against a backdrop of machinery and a factory floor. The caption “IN THE FACTORIES” tops the composition, while “MAYDAY IS OURS!” anchors the bottom, suggesting collective labor solidarity and a call for action.
Technique & Style
Executed as a screenprint, the piece relies on stark monochrome contrasts, bold outlines, and simplified geometric forms. The limited palette heightens the sense of urgency, while the repetition of strong lines emphasizes the unity and resolve of the depicted workers.
History & Provenance
The poster was produced as part of a series commissioned by Gardens Media Group in the late 1980s, a period marked by heightened political activism in South Africa. It entered the Museum of Modern Art’s holdings through acquisition in the early 2000s, where it remains on view as part of the museum’s print collection.
Context
Emerging from the anti‑apartheid cultural climate of the late 1980s, the work reflects broader movements that used graphic design and public art to mobilize labor and protest. Its visual language aligns with contemporary protest posters worldwide, employing minimalistic graphics to convey a clear, collective message.
Artist & collection
Artist
This anonymous collective made a series of five screenprinted posters in 1989, leaving each one untitled.
