Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a print by James Nares. It dates from 1986 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Unlike traditional prints, monotypes yield only one unique impression, preserving the immediacy of the artist’s hand.
Created in 1986, this monotype by James Nares is a singular print made by pressing ink from a plate onto paper. Unlike traditional prints, monotypes yield only one unique impression, preserving the immediacy of the artist’s hand. Nares, who relocated from Britain to New York in 1974, developed a multidisciplinary practice spanning painting, film, and music, often engaging with the city’s underground art scenes of the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Subject & Meaning
The composition depicts two animal forms—reminiscent of a horse and a deer—entangled within a dense tangle of branches. Their outlines are blurred and fragmented, suggesting struggle or entrapment. The lack of clear narrative or title invites open interpretation, emphasizing emotional resonance over literal representation. The animals appear neither heroic nor pastoral, but caught in an ambiguous, almost oppressive environment.
Technique & Style
Nares employed the monotype process, applying ink directly to a smooth surface and transferring it to paper under pressure. The resulting image bears thick, uneven strokes with visible texture, resembling impasto. Brushwork is gestural and rough, with colors—brown, blue, and soft pink—blended and smeared. Lines appear scratched or dragged, emphasizing physicality and spontaneity over precision.
History & Provenance
The work entered the collection of The Museum of Modern Art, reflecting institutional recognition of Nares’s contributions to post-punk and experimental art. While little is documented about its creation or early ownership, its inclusion in MoMA’s holdings situates it within a broader context of 1980s New York art that valued process, imperfection, and interdisciplinary experimentation.
Context
Nares emerged from New York’s no wave movement, a scene defined by its rejection of commercial norms and embrace of raw, unconventional expression. His work in film, such as *Rome '78*, and music paralleled his visual practice—focused on rhythm, texture, and bodily movement. This monotype aligns with that ethos, prioritizing tactile immediacy over polished finish.
Legacy
Though not widely exhibited, this piece contributes to understanding Nares’s sustained interest in materiality and gesture across media. Its presence in MoMA’s collection affirms its relevance to discussions of printmaking’s expanded possibilities in the late 20th century. The work remains a quiet example of how process-driven art can convey tension and vulnerability without narrative clarity.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jamie Nares (formerly James Nares; born 1953 in London, England) is a British transgender woman artist living and working in New York City since 1974.
