Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a graphite drawing by Hannah Wilke. It dates from 1969 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1969, this untitled drawing by Hannah Wilke consists of a central composition of concentric circles— a broad, light‑pink ring enclosing a smaller, red disk edged in yellow—surrounded by loosely rendered lines and organic shapes that suggest petals or foliage. Executed with colored pencil, graphite and regular pencil on paper, the work balances bold color fields with delicate line work, producing a subtle yet intricate surface.
Subject & Meaning
While Wilke’s broader oeuvre often explores body and identity, this drawing foregrounds formal concerns of shape, color, and spatial tension.
The piece offers an abstract visual language rather than a narrative scene. The juxtaposition of the vivid inner circle against the softer outer ring, along with the scattered leaf‑like forms, invites contemplation of concentric relationships, containment, and the interplay between interior and exterior spaces. While Wilke’s broader oeuvre often explores body and identity, this drawing foregrounds formal concerns of shape, color, and spatial tension.
Technique & Style
Wilke employed a combination of colored pencils for the saturated hues, graphite for tonal depth, and regular pencil for fine line work. The layered application creates a textured surface where the colors retain a matte quality, and the graphite adds subtle shading. The drawing’s gestural marks contrast with the precise circular forms, reflecting a synthesis of controlled geometry and spontaneous drawing typical of late‑1960s experimental print and drawing practices.
History & Provenance
The work was produced in the same year Wilke began gaining recognition for her sculptural and performance pieces. It entered the collection of the Museum of Modern Art, where it has been held since its acquisition, contributing to the museum’s representation of feminist and conceptual art from the 1960s and 1970s.
Artist & collection
Artist
Hannah Wilke (born Arlene Hannah Butter; was an American painter, sculptor, photographer, video artist and performance artist. Her work is known for exploring issues of feminism, sexuality and femininity.
