Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by John Baldessari. It dates from 1971 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
You see a white sheet of paper filled top to bottom with the same sentence, handwritten over and over: “I will not make any more boring art.
You see a white sheet of paper filled top to bottom with the same sentence, handwritten over and over: “I will not make any more boring art.”
Baldessari made this in 1971 as a student punishment—he had his class write the line repeatedly, like a schoolroom detention. The repetition turns a simple phrase into something funny and sharp.
If you like this kind of dry humor, look up more work by John Baldessari.
Overview
This 1971 lithograph by John Baldessari features a handwritten sentence repeated multiple times, filling the page.
Subject & Meaning
The work displays the phrase 'I will not make any more boring art' in a repetitive, handwritten format, suggesting a commentary on the nature of art and creativity.
Technique & Style
The lithograph is an example of Baldessari's experimentation with printmaking and text-based art, reflecting his broader exploration of language and narrative in visual art.
History & Provenance
The work originated as a classroom exercise in which Baldessari had his students write the sentence repeatedly as a form of punishment, later translating the concept into a lithograph.
Artist & collection
Artist
John Anthony Baldessari (June 17, 1931 – January 2, 2020) was an American conceptual artist known for his work featuring found photography and appropriated images.
