Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a gouache drawing by Tyson Reeder. It dates from 2002 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Untitled, executed in 2002 by American artist Tyson Reeder, is a mixed‑media drawing in the Museum of Modern Art’s collection. The work combines synthetic polymer paint, gouache, nail polish, fabric dye, bleach, various pens, glitter glue, colored pencil and pencil on paper, resulting in a densely layered surface that resists a single classification.
Subject & Meaning
At the centre of the composition a black, anthropomorphic silhouette with a rudimentary face and outstretched arms suggests a figure caught in motion—either descending or soaring. Surrounding it, chaotic fields of vivid pink, yellow and green dissolve into splatters and loose scribbles, evoking an ambiguous landscape that hints at clouds, foliage or abstracted space.
Technique & Style
Reeder’s approach is deliberately non‑smooth; layers of paint sit beside glitter, nail polish and bleach, creating a tactile, uneven texture. Color is applied side‑by‑side without traditional blending, allowing each hue to retain its intensity. The inclusion of both fine‑point pens and broad gouache strokes generates a visual tension between controlled line work and spontaneous, gestural marks.
History & Provenance
Created in 2002, the drawing entered the Museum of Modern Art’s holdings shortly after its completion, though the precise acquisition date is not publicly recorded. Its presence in MoMA’s collection situates the piece within the early‑2000s discourse on material hybridity and the expanding definition of drawing as a medium.
Context
Reeder’s practice frequently explores the collision of high‑ and low‑technique materials, reflecting a broader contemporary interest in mixed media that blurs the boundaries between painting, drawing and craft. Untitled aligns with early‑21st‑century tendencies toward exuberant color palettes and the incorporation of everyday substances such as nail polish and glitter into fine‑art contexts.
Artist & collection
