Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Kay Rosen. It dates from 1990 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1990, Untitled is a relief etching by American artist Kay Rosen that investigates the intersection of language, identity, and racial categorization.
Created in 1990, Untitled is a relief etching by American artist Kay Rosen that investigates the intersection of language, identity, and racial categorization. The work features a solid red square background containing a centered, vertically stacked list of white text. The text enumerates the names of various men who share the surname "X," including historical and cultural figures such as Malcolm X, Benedict X, and John X. By isolating this specific nomenclature, Rosen draws attention to the surname "X" as a symbol of erased lineage, most notably associated with the Nation of Islam's rejection of slave names, while simultaneously noting its usage by other figures.
The composition relies on the stark contrast between the aggressive red field and the clinical, typographic presentation of the names to underscore the weight of the shared identifier. This piece is characteristic of Rosen's broader practice, which utilizes wordplay and linguistic manipulation to expose the hidden assumptions and social constructs embedded in everyday language. The work exemplifies her ability to transform simple textual arrangements into complex commentaries on history and identity.
Subject & Meaning
The composition consists of a series of male first names, John, Benedict, Malcolm, each followed by the initial “X.” By replacing diverse surnames with a single letter, the artist draws attention to the historical tendency to obscure or simplify the identities of Black men, suggesting a subtle act of protest against erasure.
Technique & Style
Rosen employs a relief etching process, in which the design is incised into a metal plate and then printed onto paper. The contrast between the vivid red background and the crisp white type creates a graphic, almost typographic aesthetic, emphasizing the textual content as visual form.
History & Provenance
Created in 1990, the print entered the Museum of Modern Art’s collection shortly thereafter, where it has been displayed in exhibitions focusing on language, identity, and contemporary printmaking. Its acquisition reflects MoMA’s interest in works that interrogate social narratives through formal experimentation.
Context
Rosen’s practice frequently explores the visual potential of language, often manipulating words to reveal hidden meanings. Untitled fits within a broader body of work that uses textual alteration to comment on cultural and political issues, aligning with late‑20th‑century concerns about representation and race.
Artist & collection
Artist
Kay Rosen is an American painter. Rosen's paintings are included in the collections of the Art Institute of Chicago, the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles, and the Museum of Modern Art, Whitney Museum of American…
