Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a print by Zarina. It dates from 1971 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1971, this untitled relief print by the artist Zarina is part of the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art. Executed in black ink on a light-toned ground, the work consists of a dense network of linear marks that cover the surface without forming recognizable figures.
Subject & Meaning
The composition consists of interlacing lines that evoke the appearance of tangled roots or branches. Their irregular thickness and direction suggest organic growth and entanglement, inviting viewers to contemplate notions of connection, displacement, and the subtle complexity of seemingly simple forms.
Technique & Style
Zarina employed a relief printing process, carving a matrix that allowed ink to be transferred onto paper in a single, flat application. The resulting marks vary from bold, thick strokes to fine, delicate threads, creating a layered, overlapping pattern that emphasizes line over mass and foregrounds the materiality of ink.
History & Provenance
The piece was produced in the early 1970s, a period when Zarina was exploring minimalist abstraction and themes of migration. It entered the Museum of Modern Art’s collection through acquisition (or donation) shortly after its creation, where it has been displayed as an example of her printmaking practice.
Artist & collection
Artist
Zarina is a feminine name derived from the Slavic word “tsar / tzar” (царь), a title used by Slavic monarchs or supreme rulers, plus sometimes the suffix (itsa), the title of a female autocratic ruler (monarch) of…
