Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a drawing by Kembra Pfahler. It dates from 2001 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 2001 by contemporary artist Kembra Pfahler, this untitled drawing is part of the Museum of Modern Art’s collection. Executed with a felt‑tip pen on paper, the work presents a stark black‑and‑white image that emphasizes line and contrast, inviting close inspection of its graphic composition.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a nude female figure whose long hair is arranged into a heart shape, flanked by two small bows. Dark eye makeup and vivid lipstick accentuate the face, while the arms are extended outward. A striped fabric, forming a circular base, drapes around the torso, suggesting a blend of sensuality and stylized ornamentation.
Technique & Style
Pfahler employs the immediacy of felt‑tip pen to produce bold, uninterrupted strokes that define the figure’s contours and the patterned drapery. The exclusive use of black ink against white paper creates a high‑contrast visual field, reinforcing the drawing’s graphic, almost illustrative quality and highlighting the interplay between line and negative space.
History & Provenance
Since its creation in the early 2000s, the drawing has been retained by the Museum of Modern Art, where it remains on view as part of the institution’s contemporary drawing holdings. Its acquisition reflects MoMA’s ongoing commitment to documenting the work of artists who explore performance, identity, and visual subculture through drawing.
Artist & collection
Artist
Kembra Pfahler is an American interdisciplinary artist and rock musician. She has been called the "godmother of modern day shock art".
