Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a paint painting by David Parkins. It dates from 1993 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
David Parkins’ 1993 acrylic work presents a solitary cat captured mid‑stride. Set against a deep blue backdrop, the animal moves from left to right, its striped brown‑tan fur and vivid green eyes contrasting sharply with the dark field. The composition freezes a moment of quiet tension, emphasizing the cat’s alert posture and the subtle play of light on its coat.
Subject & Meaning
The painting focuses on a single feline figure, rendered in a prowling stance that suggests both curiosity and readiness. The forward‑extended front paws and the bent hind legs convey motion, while the cat’s pink nose and keen gaze invite viewers to consider the creature’s instinctual alertness within an otherwise minimal environment.
Technique & Style
Executed in acrylic, the piece employs layered brushwork to build texture across the cat’s fur, creating a tactile sense of depth. Parkins balances bold, saturated hues—particularly the earthy stripes and the dark blue background—to isolate the subject, while subtle gradations of tone give the animal a three‑dimensional presence within the flat plane.
History & Provenance
Originally produced as an illustration for a children’s book, the painting was part of a series that earned recognition in the National Art Library Illustration Awards in 1995. Since its creation, the work has remained within the artist’s portfolio, serving as a representative example of his illustrative contributions during the early 1990s.
Artist & collection
Artist
British comics artist David Parkins drew clean-lined, ink-heavy strips in the 1980s–90s.
