Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a print by Matthew Brannon. It dates from 2007 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 2007, this letterpress print by Matthew Brannon is part of the Museum of Modern Art’s collection. The work is untitled, presenting a stark black‑and‑white composition that foregrounds everyday artistic implements rendered in a precise, typographic style.
Subject & Meaning
The image arranges a paintbrush, two pencils, an eraser, a hand gripping a pencil, a dripping brush, and a cluster of small dots across a plain white field. Beneath the objects, the phrase “Decide Against” appears in a bold, sans‑serif typeface, inviting viewers to contemplate the tension between choice and creative process.
Technique & Style
Executed through traditional letterpress printing, the forms retain the crisp, ink‑saturated edges characteristic of the medium. The monochrome palette and flat rendering emphasize the graphic quality of the tools, reducing them to schematic symbols rather than detailed representations.
History & Provenance
The piece was produced in 2007 and subsequently acquired by the Museum of Modern Art, where it remains in the institution’s permanent holdings. Its inclusion reflects MoMA’s interest in contemporary works that engage with printmaking and conceptual inquiry.
Context
Brannon’s practice often interrogates the language of visual culture, employing commercial printing techniques to explore the intersection of design, art, and everyday objects. This work aligns with that trajectory, using the familiar iconography of artistic tools to question the processes behind creation.
Artist & collection
Artist
Matthew Brannon is an artist who is based in New York City. He was born in St. Maries, Idaho.
