Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a print by Mona Hatoum. It dates from 1996 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Untitled, a 1996 print by British-Palestinian artist Mona Hatoum, is a rubbing on wax paper that transforms the mundane into an unusual visual experience.
Subject & Meaning
The work's subject is a kitchen grater, its metal surface's bumps and holes rendered as dark, intricate patterns. This everyday object's elevation challenges perceptions, evoking themes of disorientation and the unfamiliar, common in Hatoum's exploration of displacement.
Technique & Style
Hatoum employed an unconventional technique—rubbing on wax paper—to capture the grater's texture. The resulting fragile yet sharp pattern underscores her propensity for experimenting with materials to convey complex ideas.
History & Provenance
Created in 1996, Untitled is part of The Museum of Modern Art's collection, reflecting the institution's interest in conceptual and multimedia practices.
Context
Within Hatoum's oeuvre, Untitled aligns with her broader thematic concerns of recontextualizing ordinary objects to explore displacement and the body's relationship with everyday environments.
Artist & collection
Artist
Mona Hatoum (Arabic: منى حاطوم; born 1952) is a British-Palestinian multimedia and installation artist who lives in London.
