Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Raymond Pettibon. It dates from 1999 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Raymond Pettibon, an American artist born in 1957, produced a black‑and‑white screenprint in 1999 that is now part of the Museum of Modern Art’s collection.
Raymond Pettibon, an American artist born in 1957, produced a black‑and‑white screenprint in 1999 that is now part of the Museum of Modern Art’s collection. The work is untitled and presents stark, jagged lines, a solitary eye, and brief textual fragments reminiscent of comic‑strip lettering. Its visual economy and confrontational composition reflect Pettibon’s longstanding engagement with graphic media.
Subject & Meaning
The central motif—a floating eye—offers a direct, unsettling gaze that invites viewers to consider observation and awareness. Accompanying text appears in fragmented, handwritten script, creating a tension between image and language. The absence of a clear narrative encourages speculation about the unsaid, a characteristic strategy in Pettibon’s practice that foregrounds ambiguity and provocation.
Technique & Style
Executed as a screenprint, the piece relies on high‑contrast black ink on white paper, emphasizing line work and negative space. The jagged, almost scribbled quality of the drawing recalls the aesthetic of punk‑era zines, while the inclusion of textual elements blurs the boundary between visual art and graphic design, a hallmark of Pettibon’s interdisciplinary approach.
History & Provenance
Created in 1999, the print entered the Museum of Modern Art’s collection shortly thereafter, joining a broader assemblage of Pettibon’s works that document his transition from underground punk graphics to institutional recognition. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s interest in artists who bridge subcultural visual culture and contemporary fine art.
Context
Pettibon’s early career involved designing posters and album covers for Southern California punk bands associated with SST Records. This background informs the print’s raw aesthetic and its interplay of image and text, echoing the DIY ethos of the early 1980s while engaging with broader American cultural references drawn from literature, politics, and religion.
Artist & collection
Artist
Raymond Pettibon (born Raymond Ginn, June 16, 1957) is an American artist who lives and works in New York City.
