Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a silver drawing by Rachel Harrison. It dates from 1999 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1999 by American artist Rachel Harrison, this untitled work combines drawing and collage on a single sheet of paper. It is part of the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art. The piece juxtaposes hand‑rendered figures on the left with a cut‑out photographic fragment on the right, forming a compact visual narrative.
Subject & Meaning
The contrast between the schematic drawings and the realistic cut‑out invites reflection on the boundary between representation and abstraction.
Six stylized human silhouettes occupy the left side, each rendered in black and purple line work that reduces posture to elementary forms. Opposite them, a black‑and‑white gelatin‑silver photograph shows a solitary figure perched on a rooftop, its source appearing to be a dated newspaper or magazine image. The contrast between the schematic drawings and the realistic cut‑out invites reflection on the boundary between representation and abstraction.
Technique & Style
Harrison employs felt‑tip pen to produce the simplified line drawings, emphasizing flat color and minimal detail. The right‑hand element is a cut‑and‑pasted gelatin‑silver print, a traditional photographic process, integrated onto the same paper support. This hybrid approach merges two distinct media—drawing and photographic collage—while maintaining a cohesive monochromatic palette punctuated by occasional purple strokes.
History & Provenance
The work was produced in the late 1990s, a period when Harrison was exploring the interplay of everyday imagery and artistic fabrication. It entered the Museum of Modern Art’s collection shortly after its creation, where it remains on view as part of the museum’s holdings of contemporary drawing and mixed‑media practices.
Artist & collection
Artist
Rachel Harrison is an American visual artist known for her sculpture, photography, and drawing.
