Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Jeremy Deller. It dates from 2013 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 2013, this screenprint on plexiglass is part of Jeremy Deller’s body of work that explores everyday language and shared cultural experiences.
Created in 2013, this screenprint on plexiglass is part of Jeremy Deller’s body of work that explores everyday language and shared cultural experiences. As a British artist known for collaborative projects, Deller uses simple visual forms to provoke reflection on personal and social conditions. The piece is held in the collection of The Museum of Modern Art, reflecting its significance in contemporary print practice.
Subject & Meaning
The text 'I'd Rather be Reading' appears plainly across the surface, evoking a quiet, universal sentiment of disengagement. It captures the tension between obligation and desire, resonating with moments of boredom, waiting, or alienation. Rather than offering a direct political statement, the phrase invites viewers to recognize their own internal escapes, grounding the work in relatable, non-ideological experience.
Technique & Style
The work employs screenprinting on transparent plexiglass, a method that emphasizes materiality and layering. The flat, unadorned typography contrasts with the physical presence of the support, creating a subtle interplay between text and surface. Deller’s choice of medium avoids traditional framing, allowing light and environment to interact with the printed words, altering perception depending on viewing conditions.
History & Provenance
Produced in 2013, the piece entered The Museum of Modern Art’s collection shortly after its creation. It aligns with Deller’s broader practice of elevating mundane expressions into art, a strategy evident in earlier works like his Turner Prize-winning project involving a reenactment of the 1984 miners’ strike. Its acquisition underscores institutional recognition of his approach to democratizing artistic content.
Context
Deller’s work emerges from a post-conceptual tradition that prioritizes participation and vernacular culture over formal innovation. In the early 2010s, his focus on collective memory and public language coincided with broader cultural shifts toward digital saturation and information overload. This piece quietly responds to that climate, offering a pause through a phrase that resonates with the desire to retreat from external demands.
Legacy
The work contributes to a lineage of text-based art that privileges accessibility over obscurity. Its endurance lies in its openness — it requires no specialized knowledge to understand, yet invites prolonged contemplation. As such, it continues to function as a quiet mirror for viewers navigating the pressures of contemporary life, reinforcing Deller’s role in redefining art’s relationship to the everyday.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jeremy Deller (born 30 March 1966) is an English conceptual, video and installation artist.
