Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a graphite drawing by Liam Gillick. It dates from 1994 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Scribbled lines connect words like "Joe Bobak," "Roy Cohn," and "Frank Costello," with arrows pointing everywhere.
This sketch looks like a messy map of names and places. Scribbled lines connect words like "Joe Bobak," "Roy Cohn," and "Frank Costello," with arrows pointing everywhere. Some boxes list years like 1957 or 1946, while others name spots like "Apalachin, New York" or "Hotel Du Paris." The whole thing is drawn in pencil on colored paper, with a red square stamped "Judd Foundation" in the corner.
The names and dates seem to trace a loose story—maybe about people or events—but nothing is clear. The lines feel like they’re pointing to connections, not just locations.
If this style intrigues you, look up cross-hatching next.
Overview
Untitled, a 1994 drawing by British artist Liam Gillick, comprises four sheets of colored paper with cut-and-pasted printed elements and pencil markings. Characterized by a complex network of scribbled lines, arrows, and boxed annotations, the work embodies Gillick's conceptual approach.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing appears to map interconnected names, places, and dates, potentially alluding to a narrative or relationships between individuals and events. Figures like Joe Bobak, Roy Cohn, and Frank Costello are linked through a web of connections, though the exact meaning remains ambiguous.
Technique & Style
Gillick employed a mix of media, combining cut-and-pasted printed paper with pencil drawings on colored paper. The resultant sketch, with its expressive lines and stamped elements (such as the red 'Judd Foundation' square), reflects his engagement with conceptual and possibly proto-installation practices.
History & Provenance
Created in 1994, Untitled is associated with Gillick's time among the Young British Artists. Initially studied at Goldsmiths' College in London, Gillick's work from this period often explored conceptual and installation art practices. The piece is now part of a collection, as indicated by the Judd Foundation stamp.
Context
Emerging from the 1990s British art scene, Untitled situates Gillick within a movement emphasizing conceptual and innovative practices. The work's style and themes align with the era's focus on redefining artistic expression.
Artist & collection
Artist
Liam Gillick (born 1964) is a British artist. In the 1990s he was one of the informal Young British Artists group; like many of them, he took a degree in fine art from Goldsmiths' College, in London. He was among the…
