Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a charcoal drawing by Uche Okeke. It dates from 1963 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1963 by Nigerian artist Uche Okeke, this untitled charcoal drawing resides in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art. Executed on paper, the work consists of a network of dark gray lines that intersect, curve, and vary in thickness, producing a dynamic, abstract composition that conveys a sense of movement across the surface.
Technique & Style
Okeke employed charcoal to achieve a range of line qualities, from bold, thick strokes to delicate, fine marks. The medium’s inherent softness allows for visible smudges and scratches, indicating a rapid, gestural approach. The juxtaposition of straight and curved lines, layered and overlapping, creates an expressive texture that emphasizes immediacy and the artist’s hand.
History & Provenance
The drawing was completed in 1963, a period when Okeke was actively involved in the Nigerian modernist movement. It entered the Museum of Modern Art’s holdings through acquisition (or donation) after its creation, becoming part of the institution’s representation of mid‑twentieth‑century African art.
Context
During the early 1960s, Okeke contributed to the development of a distinct visual language that merged traditional African motifs with contemporary abstraction. This work reflects that synthesis, using simple line work to explore form and rhythm without explicit figurative references, aligning with broader trends in post‑colonial artistic expression.
Artist & collection
Artist
Christopher Uchefuna Okeke, also known as Uche Okeke, was an illustrator, painter, sculptor, and teacher. He was an art and aesthetic theorist, seminal to Nigerian modernism.
