Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a paint painting by the Neo Expressionist artist Lindsay Kemp. It dates from 1974 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1974, this untitled work by Lindsay Kemp presents a densely packed arrangement of six faces, each adorned with floral headpieces. The composition is dominated by vivid, expressionist hues that clash and intertwine, while Kemp’s signature in pink appears at the top centre of the canvas.
Subject & Meaning
The six visages, varying from wide‑eyed to dreamy, are crowned with stylised blossoms that function as both decorative motifs and symbolic extensions of the figures’ identities. The juxtaposition of human features with floral crowns suggests a celebration of vitality and a blurring of the boundary between person and nature.
Technique & Style
Kemp employs thick impasto, laying down paint in heavy, gestural strokes that give the surface a near‑sculptural relief. The palette—intense reds, greens, blues, and yellows—creates a swirling, energetic rhythm, while overlapping shapes and loose brushwork convey a sense of movement and immediacy typical of mid‑century expressionism.
History & Provenance
Signed and dated by the artist, the painting entered Kemp’s personal inventory shortly after its completion. It has since been exhibited in several group shows focusing on British avant‑garde painting of the 1970s, though detailed records of private ownership remain limited.
Artist & collection
Artist
Lindsay Kemp’s 1970s paintings mix bold brushwork with queer storytelling—think swirling figures and dreamy edges that feel like a backstage glimpse.
