Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink drawing by Jenny Perlin. It dates from 2002 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
It presents a sequence of simplified automobile forms, rendered in red and orange, arranged dynamically across the surface.
Jenny Perlin created this 2002 drawing in colored ink on cream paper, now in The Museum of Modern Art’s collection. It presents a sequence of simplified automobile forms, rendered in red and orange, arranged dynamically across the surface. The composition suggests motion through directional alignment and spatial layering, with some vehicles seemingly lifted from the ground, disrupting a flat plane.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a row of cars, some oriented forward, others reversed, evoking transit, directionality, or stalled movement. A few appear suspended, introducing ambiguity between grounded motion and weightless suspension. Faint architectural elements in the background hint at infrastructure—perhaps a bridge or building—implying a context of urban transit without specifying a literal scene.
Technique & Style
Perlin uses fluid, unmodulated ink lines to define the cars, favoring economy over detail. The warm red and orange hues contrast subtly with the neutral paper, enhancing visual rhythm. Faint, gestural marks in the background suggest depth without rendering form, creating a layered space that feels both deliberate and spontaneous, aligning with a minimalist yet expressive aesthetic.
History & Provenance
The work was completed in 2002 and entered The Museum of Modern Art’s collection shortly thereafter. It is part of Perlin’s broader practice exploring movement, time, and systems through drawing and film. No prior ownership or exhibition history beyond MoMA’s acquisition is documented in public records.
Context
Created during a period when Perlin was investigating transportation and urban infrastructure in her work, this drawing reflects her interest in how systems of movement shape perception. It aligns with contemporaneous conceptual drawing practices that prioritize process and implied narrative over figurative representation.
Legacy
The work contributes to Perlin’s ongoing exploration of motion and structure in drawn form. While not widely reproduced, it remains a representative example of her restrained, poetic approach to depicting transit and spatial relationships, influencing later artists engaged with minimalism and narrative abstraction.
Artist & collection
