Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an acrylic drawing by Paul Thek. It dates from 1983 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1983, this untitled work by Paul Thek combines acrylic paint and gesso applied to a substrate of newspaper. Though classified as a drawing, the piece functions as an abstract composition that resides in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a prominent brown circle with a tactile surface, encircled by a rough-edged yellow square and a smaller concentric yellow square within. Scattered green and purple dots punctuate the field, suggesting a dialogue between geometric forms and spontaneous color gestures.
Technique & Style
The artist employed acrylic and gesso to build up thick, expressive layers that reveal the underlying newspaper, allowing text fragments to peek through the pigment. This mixed-media approach creates a contrast between the flatness of the printed page and the raised, textured paint surfaces.
History & Provenance
Since its completion in 1983, the work has been part of the Museum of Modern Art’s holdings. Its acquisition reflects MoMA’s interest in late‑20th‑century experimental practices that merge drawing, painting, and collage.
Context
The piece aligns with Thek’s broader exploration of materiality and abstraction during the early 1980s, a period when many artists incorporated everyday printed matter into fine‑art works to question the boundaries between high art and mass media.
Artist & collection
Artist
Paul Thek was an American painter, sculptor and installation artist. Thek was active in both the United States and Europe, exhibiting several installations and sculptural works over the course of his life. Posthumously,…
