Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a graphite drawing by Kara Walker. It dates from 2017 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 2017, this drawing by Kara Walker combines ink, pencil, and cut‑and‑pasted paper on a painted surface. The work is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art and exemplifies Walker’s practice of assembling intricate, densely populated scenes that evoke a chaotic, dream‑like atmosphere.
Subject & Meaning
The composition is filled with numerous small figures rendered in simplified silhouette. They appear in varied poses—standing, hovering, swinging a bat, or tethered to a leash—suggesting a frenetic narrative that hints at themes of power, control, and the entangled histories of race and gender that Walker frequently investigates.
Technique & Style
Walker employs a mixed‑media approach, drawing with ink and pencil before cutting out shapes that are adhered to a painted paper base. This layering creates a textured surface where the flat silhouettes acquire a slight relief, reinforcing the sense of depth and movement within the crowded tableau.
History & Provenance
The piece was produced in 2017 and subsequently entered the Museum of Modern Art’s collection, where it remains on view. Its acquisition reflects MoMA’s ongoing commitment to representing contemporary artists who engage critically with social and historical narratives.
Artist & collection
Artist
Kara Elizabeth Walker (born November 26, 1969) is an American contemporary painter, silhouettist, printmaker, sculptor, installation artist, filmmaker, and university professor, who explores race, gender, sexuality, violence, and identity…
