Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a wood painting by the Art Brut artist Bhupen Khakhar. It dates from 1965 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1965 by Indian artist Bhupen Khakhar, this untitled work combines enamel paint with metallic paper applied to a plywood support. The piece is part of the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art, where it is displayed as a representative example of the artist’s experimental approach to surface and material.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a massive, shadowy visage whose eyes glow intensely against a deep red field. Streaks of red and blue paint cascade across the face, suggesting tears or fissures, while a cluster of diminutive red figures below appears to press together, some linking hands, evoking themes of isolation within a crowd.
Technique & Style
Khakhar employs a heavily textured application, layering thick enamel with fragments of reflective metallic paper. The resulting surface is uneven and tactile, reminiscent of impasto, with a raw, scraped quality that emphasizes the physicality of the medium over a polished finish.
History & Provenance
Since its creation, the work has remained within institutional collections, ultimately entering MoMA’s holdings where it has been catalogued under the artist’s untitled series. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s interest in mid‑20th‑century South Asian avant‑garde practices.
Context
The painting emerges from a period when Khakhar was exploring personal narrative through bold, figurative imagery, often confronting social alienation. The use of industrial materials such as enamel and metallic paper aligns with contemporary experiments in mixed media that challenged traditional painting conventions.
Artist & collection
Artist
Bhupen Khakhar was an Indian artist. He was a member of the Baroda Group and gained international recognition for his work as "India's first 'Pop' artist."
