Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a graphite drawing by Kara Walker. It dates from 2004 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Untitled (2004) is a mixed-media drawing by Kara Walker, combining cut black paper, pencil, pressure-sensitive tape, metal fasteners, and paperboard. Characteristic of her large-scale silhouette works, it critiques romanticized narratives of the antebellum American South.
Subject & Meaning
The piece depicts a black silhouetted figure of a woman, identified by her afro hairstyle, dress, and broom/stick, implying domestic labor. Her obscured facial expression and poised posture underscore themes of race, gender, and identity.
Technique & Style
Walker employs her signature silhouette technique with cut black paper against a white background, augmented by pencil details, tape, and metal fasteners. This method creates a stark, elegant visual simplicity.
History & Provenance
Created in 2004, the work is part of The Museum of Modern Art's collection, reflecting its significance within Walker's oeuvre and contemporary art.
Context
Within Walker's practice, Untitled intersects with her exploration of the antebellum South's mythologies, using the silhouette form to confront and subvert historical and cultural narratives.
Legacy
As part of Walker's critically acclaimed silhouette series, Untitled contributes to her influential body of work challenging racial and gender stereotypes in American history and culture.
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…
