Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a glass drawing by José Carlos Martinat. It dates from 2013 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 2013 by José Carlos Martinat, this untitled work is part of the collection at the Museum of Modern Art. It presents a large, irregularly shaped letter‑N composed of dense black and white marks set against a vivid yellow field that appears worn and uneven, giving the piece a tactile, street‑level presence.
Subject & Meaning
The dominant form, a jagged, almost sculptural N, suggests a dialogue between abstraction and typographic sign, while the distressed background evokes the passage of time and the erosion of urban surfaces. The contrast between the stark monochrome marks and the bright, weathered field invites contemplation of language, graffiti culture, and the fleeting nature of public markings.
Technique & Style
Martinat incorporates actual graffiti fragments alongside glass shards, fibers, resin, and paper, assembling them in layers that retain a raw, unfinished quality. The mixed media approach blurs the line between drawing and collage, emphasizing texture and the materiality of street‑found objects rather than traditional studio polish.
History & Provenance
The piece was produced in 2013 and subsequently acquired by the Museum of Modern Art, where it remains on view. Its inclusion in the museum’s holdings reflects an institutional interest in contemporary practices that merge urban ephemera with fine‑art contexts.
Artist & collection
