Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Mark Bradford. It dates from 2004 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 2004, this untitled work by Los Angeles‑based artist Mark Bradford merges lithography with screenprinting to produce a monochrome image.
Created in 2004, this untitled work by Los Angeles‑based artist Mark Bradford merges lithography with screenprinting to produce a monochrome image. The composition depicts a storefront labeled “Beauty Salon” accompanied by a telephone number, while surrounding signage and fragmented text such as “Perm” and “Raid” populate the façade. The piece is part of the Museum of Modern Art’s permanent collection.
Subject & Meaning
The image foregrounds an urban commercial front, its layered lettering and advertisements evoking the visual density of city streets. By isolating the “Beauty Salon” sign amid a collage of other notices, Bradford hints at the overlapping narratives and social transactions that define public spaces, inviting viewers to consider how everyday signage constructs communal identity.
Technique & Style
Bradford employs a hybrid print process: a lithographic base establishes tonal depth, while screenprinting adds sharp, graphic elements. The black‑and‑white palette accentuates contrast between text and architectural form, and the superimposed layers create a sense of depth akin to his larger collage paintings. The method allows precise replication of intricate typographic details.
History & Provenance
The work entered the Museum of Modern Art’s collection shortly after its creation, reflecting the institution’s interest in contemporary print practices. Bradford, a graduate of the California Institute of the Arts, has exhibited internationally and represented the United States at the 2017 Venice Biennale, situating this piece within a broader trajectory of socially engaged, print‑based art.
Artist & collection
Artist
Mark Bradford (born November 20, 1961) is an American visual artist. Bradford was born, lives, and works in Los Angeles and studied at the California Institute of the Arts. Recognized for his collaged painting works,…
