Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink drawing by Kiki Smith. It dates from 1990 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Untitled, a 1990 drawing by Kiki Smith, is a long, composite paper strip featuring rows of small, ambiguous ink forms. Currently in The Museum of Modern Art's collection, its visual simplicity belies a nuanced exploration of representation and materiality.
Subject & Meaning
The piece presents a series of basic, blurred body parts (ears, eyes, hands, noses) that are initially indistinct, prompting viewer interpretation. Their simplicity and 'ghostly' fadedness in places may suggest the ephemeral nature of physical form.
Technique & Style
Smith employed printing ink on intentionally damaged paper—torn and reassembled with noticeable uneven edges. This juxtaposition of deliberate degradation with precise, albeit smudged, ink applications characterizes the work's aesthetic.
History & Provenance
Created in 1990, the work is part of Kiki Smith's output from a period exploring the human figure through varied mediums. It is now held in the permanent collection of The Museum of Modern Art.
Context
Within Smith's broader oeuvre, Untitled reflects her interest in the body's representation and the emotional potential of simple, expressive forms. The piece's themes and techniques align with late 20th-century explorations of minimalism and the deconstruction of the human figure in art.
Legacy
As part of MoMA's collection, Untitled contributes to the institutional narrative on contemporary drawing practices and the evolution of figurative art in the late 20th century, reflecting Smith's influence on subsequent generations of artists exploring the body and abstraction.
Artist & collection
Artist
Kiki Smith is a German-born American artist whose work has addressed the themes of sex, birth and regeneration.
