Artwork

Untitled

Untitled, by Jim Shaw, graphite, 1981
Untitled, by Jim Shaw, graphite, 1981

Untitled is a graphite drawing by Jim Shaw. It dates from 1981 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.

About this work

Overview

Untitled is a 1981 drawing by Jim Shaw, created using pencil and airbrush on paper. It is part of The Museum of Modern Art's collection.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts a blurry figure composed of overlapping shapes resembling torn paper, with pencil marks and dots adding texture and visual interest. The arrangement of these elements suggests a face or body, but the overall effect is ambiguous and layered.

Technique & Style

Shaw employed a range of techniques, including shading and texture, to create a sense of depth. The use of dots and lines, reminiscent of stippling, contributes to the drawing's busy, layered feel. The airbrush and pencil work together to produce a smudged, sketch-like quality.

Artist & collection

Artist

Jim Shaw

Jim Shaw is an American artist. His work is held in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art, New York.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Museum of Modern Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.