Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Chris Ofili. It dates from 2012 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
This is a blue paper with black drawings. Three flower clusters float near the top. Words are written in black ink: "OFILI BLACKSHUNGIA," "TWO PALMS," and "2008–2015." The background shifts from dark to light blue.
The artist signed it in the corner. This is one of eleven prints in a set.
Look up etching to see how artists like this make prints.
Overview
Created in 2012, the work consists of a series of eleven prints produced through etching and gravure on paper that has been tinted with pigment.
Created in 2012, the work consists of a series of eleven prints produced through etching and gravure on paper that has been tinted with pigment. Each sheet presents a dark-to-light blue field punctuated by stark black line work, including three clusters of stylised flowers near the top and textual elements rendered in ink. The artist’s signature appears in the lower corner, identifying the piece as part of a limited set.
Technique & Style
The prints combine traditional intaglio methods, etching the copper plate and employing gravure for tonal variation, with the use of coloured paper as a ground. This approach yields a high-contrast visual language where deep blues serve as a backdrop for precise black drawing. The integration of text and botanical motifs reflects the artist’s broader interest in juxtaposing fine‑line graphic elements with unconventional material choices.
Subject & Meaning
The imagery centers on abstracted floral forms and handwritten phrases such as “OFILI BLACKSHUNGIA,” “TWO PALMS,” and a date range. The sparse composition and limited palette suggest a focus on the interplay between natural symbolism and personal identifiers, inviting viewers to consider the relationship between language, nature, and the artist’s own signature presence within the work.
History & Provenance
The portfolio was produced by the British artist Chris Ofili, whose career gained international attention after winning the Turner Prize in 1998. While Ofili is primarily known for paintings that incorporate materials like resin, beads, glitter and even elephant dung, this series demonstrates his ongoing investigation of printmaking as a medium for mixed‑media experimentation. The set remains documented as a 2012 edition of eleven prints.
Artist & collection
Artist
Christopher Ofili (born 10 October 1968) is a British painter who won the Turner Prize in 1998.
