Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a drawing by NOC 167. It dates from 1982 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1982, this untitled work by the artist known as NOC 167 consists of cut-and-pasted paper elements rendered with felt‑tip pen on a foamcore support. The composition is set against a neutral beige field and is composed of brightly colored letters, assorted typographic forms, and abstract shapes that intersect and overlap.
Subject & Meaning
The piece foregrounds an assemblage of alphanumeric characters and geometric motifs, each rendered in varied hues and typefaces. The juxtaposition of textual fragments with non‑representational forms suggests a playful investigation of language as visual material, inviting viewers to consider the boundary between reading and seeing.
Technique & Style
Employing a collage method, the artist cut paper into letters and shapes, arranging them on foamcore before securing them with adhesive. Felt‑tip pen outlines and accentuates the elements, adding line work that enhances depth and emphasizes the three‑dimensional quality of certain letters. The overall aesthetic is bold, colorful, and experimental, reflecting a DIY sensibility.
History & Provenance
The work entered the collection of the Museum of Modern Art, where it remains part of the institution’s holdings. It is attributed to NOC 167, the pseudonym of artist Melvin Samuels, whose practice in the early 1980s explored mixed media and graphic experimentation.
Artist & collection
Artist
NOC 167 made sharp, playful collages from cut paper and felt-tip pens in the early 1980s.
