Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a gouache drawing by Shahzia Sikander. It dates from 2003 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 2003, this untitled work by Shahzia Sikander consists of ink, colored ink and gouache applied to a composite sheet made from twenty prepared paper fragments. The piece is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art and exemplifies the artist’s practice of combining drawing and painting techniques on unconventional supports.
Subject & Meaning
The composition presents an entangled mass of loosely rendered figures, their forms suggested rather than defined. A muted palette of peach, gray and soft brown is punctuated by stark black ink, evoking a sense of ambiguity and movement within the crowded visual field.
Technique & Style
Sikander employs a combination of fluid ink lines and opaque gouache washes, allowing both transparency and solidity to coexist. The paper support, assembled from stitched fragments, creates a patchwork surface that emphasizes texture and the handmade quality of the work.
History & Provenance
Since its creation, the drawing has remained in the artist’s possession until its acquisition by MoMA, where it entered the museum’s permanent collection. Sikander, born in Pakistan in 1969, has lived and worked in New York City for much of her career.
Artist & collection
Artist
Shahzia Sikander (born 1969) is a Pakistani-American visual artist. Sikander works across a variety of mediums, including drawing, painting, printmaking, animation, installation, performance and video. Sikander…
