Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a watercolor drawing by John Lees. It dates from 1996 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Untitled, a drawing executed in 1996 by John Lees, is part of the Museum of Modern Art’s collection. The work extends horizontally across the paper, inviting the eye to travel its length. Its composition relies on an eclectic mix of materials, producing a layered surface that balances gestural marks with subtle washes.
Subject & Meaning
The piece does not present a recognizable narrative; instead, it explores the interaction of line and pigment. By juxtaposing stark, linear elements with diffuse color fields, Lees encourages contemplation of the tension between control and chance within the drawing process.
Technique & Style
Lees combines charcoal, ink, coffee, chalk, conté crayon, herbal tea, berry stain, and watercolor on paper. Charcoal and ink generate sharp, defined strokes, while watercolor and tea washes create translucent layers. The inclusion of coffee and berry stain adds earthy tones and irregular textures, contributing to a complex visual rhythm.
History & Provenance
Created in 1996, the drawing entered the Museum of Modern Art’s holdings through acquisition shortly after its completion. Its presence in the museum’s collection reflects the institution’s interest in experimental mixed-media works from the late twentieth century.
Context
During the mid‑1990s, artists increasingly incorporated unconventional materials into drawing, challenging traditional media boundaries. Lees’s use of everyday substances such as coffee and herbal tea aligns with this broader trend toward material experimentation and the blurring of fine‑art categories.
Artist & collection
Artist
John Lees is an American contemporary expressionist artist who works primarily in painting.
