Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink drawing by Meredith Monk. It dates from 1972 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1972, this untitled work by Meredith Monk consists of ink applied to a pair of sheets of printed, transparentized paper. The piece is classified as a drawing and is part of the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art. Its minimalist composition of lines and geometric shapes invites close visual inspection despite the absence of a descriptive title.
Technique & Style
Monk employed ink on two transparent sheets, allowing the layers to interact visually. The drawing relies on cross‑hatching and delicate line work to suggest form, a method that emphasizes the materiality of paper and ink. The use of transparentized paper, a relatively uncommon support in the early 1970s, creates a subtle depth as the sheets overlap.
Subject & Meaning
Without a title, the work offers no explicit narrative, directing attention to its formal qualities. The interplay of line and translucency can be read as an exploration of space and perception, echoing the artist’s broader interest in the boundaries between visual and auditory experience.
History & Provenance
Meredith Monk, primarily known as a composer and vocalist, produced this drawing during a period of interdisciplinary experimentation. The piece entered the Museum of Modern Art’s collection, where it remains on view, reflecting the institution’s commitment to acquiring works that bridge music and visual art.
Context
In the early 1970s, artists were increasingly investigating unconventional materials and processes. Monk’s choice of transparent paper and ink aligns with contemporary explorations of light, layering, and the dissolution of traditional media boundaries, situating the drawing within a broader avant‑garde movement that questioned the limits of drawing as a medium.
Artist & collection
Artist
Meredith Jane Monk is an American composer, performer, director, vocalist, filmmaker, and choreographer.
