Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Josh Smith. It dates from 2008 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
It presents abstract, overlapping forms rendered in dark green and black, with sporadic splashes of white and light blue.
Josh Smith created Untitled in 2008 using monotype and screenprint techniques. The work is part of The Museum of Modern Art’s collection. It presents abstract, overlapping forms rendered in dark green and black, with sporadic splashes of white and light blue. The surface bears the marks of direct, gestural application, emphasizing process over precision. The print’s irregular edges and uneven ink distribution reflect the physicality of its making.
Subject & Meaning
Two indistinct shapes dominate the composition—one suggesting a human figure, the other a bird—intertwined in a way that resists clear interpretation. Their ambiguity invites multiple readings without anchoring meaning. The lack of defined contours and the sense of movement imply a moment caught mid-action, perhaps evoking connection, conflict, or transformation. The work avoids narrative clarity, favoring emotional resonance over literal representation.
Technique & Style
Smith combined monotype’s spontaneity with screenprint’s layering to produce a textured, unstable image. Ink was applied freely, allowing bleed and smudge to occur naturally. Thick, uneven lines suggest rapid, almost improvisational gestures. The irregular registration between layers enhances the sense of imperfection, aligning the work with raw, expressive traditions rather than controlled reproduction. The result feels immediate, like a drawing made under pressure.
History & Provenance
Untitled was produced in 2008 and entered The Museum of Modern Art’s collection shortly thereafter. It belongs to a series of works by Smith from this period that explore the boundaries between drawing, painting, and printmaking. The piece was not part of a major exhibition at its inception but gained recognition through institutional acquisition and inclusion in group shows focused on contemporary print practices.
Context
Smith’s work emerged in the mid-2000s amid a resurgence of interest in hand-made, non-traditional print methods. His approach aligned with artists rejecting digital precision in favor of material unpredictability. Untitled reflects broader trends in contemporary art that value process, imperfection, and the physical trace of the artist’s hand over polished finish or conceptual clarity.
Legacy
Untitled contributes to Smith’s broader exploration of print as a medium for expressive disruption. Its inclusion in MoMA’s collection situates it within a lineage of experimental printmaking that privileges gesture over replication. The work continues to influence emerging artists interested in the tension between control and chance, and in redefining the boundaries of print as a dynamic, evolving form.
Artist & collection
Artist
Joshua Smith is an American former professional basketball player who played 13 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
