Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Joe Tilson. It dates from 1967 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Untitled, a 1967 screenprint by Joe Tilson, combines multiple materials and techniques to create a unique print. Held in the collection of The Museum of Modern Art, the work presents a nocturnal cityscape within a simulated photographic frame, incorporating reflective elements and textual annotations.
Subject & Meaning
The subject appears to be a nighttime urban scene, with a prominent yellow-lit skyscraper and surrounding smaller lights, evoking the glow of a city at night. The frame, marked with 'TILSON' and 'clip-o-matic', adds a layer of artificiality, potentially commenting on the constructed nature of images.
Technique & Style
Technically, the print layers screenprint on acetate film over a color dispositive on metallised acetate, mounted on paper. The use of metallised acetate and a dark background enhances the reflective, shiny aspects of the frame, distinguishing it from a genuine photograph.
History & Provenance
Created in 1967, the work is part of The Museum of Modern Art's collection, indicating its recognition within the realm of modern art. Specific details about its creation context or exhibitions are not provided.
Context
Emerging in the late 1960s, this piece may reflect the era's experimentation with mixed media and the interrogation of image authenticity, common in pop art and conceptual practices.
Legacy
While specific legacy details are not provided, its presence in a major museum collection suggests it contributes to the broader narrative of 1960s artistic innovation, particularly in printmaking and the deconstruction of photographic illusion.
Artist & collection
Artist
Joseph Charles Tilson was a British visual artist and fellow of the Royal Academy. He was involved in the Pop Art movement in the 1960s; he made paintings, prints and constructions.
