Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an acrylic drawing by Naotaka Hiro. It dates from 2017 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 2017, this work by Naotaka Hiro is a drawing executed in acrylic and pencil on paper that has been physically altered through cutting and folding.
Created in 2017, this work by Naotaka Hiro is a drawing executed in acrylic and pencil on paper that has been physically altered through cutting and folding. It is part of the collection at The Museum of Modern Art. The composition resists flatness, with layered surfaces creating a sculptural quality that interacts with the pigment and line work, distinguishing it from conventional two-dimensional drawings.
Subject & Meaning
Two abstracted human forms stand side by side, their faces reduced to white ovals outlined in dark pencil. Clothing is suggested through bold, non-naturalistic color blocks—red, yellow, pink, and green—without anatomical detail. The figures lack individualizing features, inviting interpretation as archetypes or symbolic presences rather than specific persons, their anonymity emphasizing form over identity.
Technique & Style
Hiro applies acrylic in thick, irregular strokes, allowing pigment to pool and bleed along folded edges. Pencil lines sketch contours and add texture, while the paper’s physical manipulation introduces unexpected planes and shadows. The background is layered with chaotic scribbles and splatters of blue and black, creating visual tension against the more defined figures, reflecting a deliberate embrace of material unpredictability.
History & Provenance
The work entered The Museum of Modern Art’s collection shortly after its creation in 2017. No prior exhibition or private ownership history is publicly documented. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s interest in contemporary practices that expand the boundaries of drawing through material experimentation and non-traditional support.
Context
Hiro’s practice aligns with a broader trend among contemporary artists who treat paper not merely as a surface but as a malleable medium. His work engages with post-minimalist and process-based approaches, where physical intervention—cutting, folding, layering—becomes integral to meaning. This piece resonates with artists exploring the intersection of drawing, sculpture, and collage.
Legacy
While still early in his career, Hiro’s use of folded paper and expressive mark-making has contributed to redefining drawing as a three-dimensional act. This work exemplifies a shift in contemporary art toward material awareness and tactile experimentation, influencing younger artists to reconsider the limits of traditional media and the potential of paper as a dynamic support.
Artist & collection
