Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Justin Matherly. It dates from 2012 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Each print in the series explores fragmentation through abstract composition, using digital printing to simulate the visual effect of shattered glass.
Untitled is a 2012 series of twelve inkjet monoprints by Justin Matherly, held in the collection of The Museum of Modern Art. Each print in the series explores fragmentation through abstract composition, using digital printing to simulate the visual effect of shattered glass. The works are non-representational, focusing on form, texture, and the interplay of light and shadow rather than depicting a specific scene or object.
Subject & Meaning
The series evokes the aftermath of rupture, shards arranged without clear orientation or hierarchy. There is no narrative or symbolic reference beyond the physicality of broken surfaces. The arrangement suggests chance, decay, or structural collapse, inviting contemplation of impermanence and the quiet tension between order and disarray in abstract form.
Technique & Style
Matherly employed inkjet printing to layer translucent inks on paper, creating the illusion of fractured glass through precise gradations of white, gray, and deep shadow. The sharp, angular forms are not hand-drawn but digitally generated to mimic the irregular edges of broken material. The technique emphasizes surface variation and optical depth, with overlapping shards producing subtle tonal shifts without color.
History & Provenance
Created in 2012, the series entered The Museum of Modern Art’s collection shortly after its completion. It reflects Matherly’s interest in translating digital processes into tactile visual experiences. The work has not been exhibited widely outside institutional contexts, and its provenance remains tied to the artist’s studio and the museum’s acquisition records.
Context
Untitled aligns with early 21st-century trends in abstract printmaking that embrace digital tools to expand traditional techniques. Matherly’s work responds to a broader interest in materiality within digital art, using technology not to replicate reality, but to interrogate perception and surface. The series shares conceptual ground with artists exploring fragmentation, though it avoids overt political or cultural references.
Legacy
The series contributes to ongoing dialogues about the intersection of digital fabrication and abstract expression. While not widely reproduced or referenced in popular discourse, it remains a quiet example of how contemporary printmaking can reframe perception through technical precision. Its presence in MoMA’s collection affirms its role in documenting evolving practices in non-traditional print media.
Artist & collection
