Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an unspecified painting by the Contemporary Abstract artist Mark Bradford. It dates from 2021 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 2021, this untitled work by Los Angeles‑based artist Mark Bradford combines torn paper and string adhered to canvas.
Created in 2021, this untitled work by Los Angeles‑based artist Mark Bradford combines torn paper and string adhered to canvas. The composition is an abstract assemblage of vivid blues, yellows and reds juxtaposed with deep browns and blacks, through which fragmented silhouettes of faces, hands and architectural fragments emerge. The piece belongs to Bradford’s ongoing exploration of layered, collage‑based painting.
Subject & Meaning
While the work lacks a literal narrative, its dense layering suggests urban density and social entanglement. The interwoven fragments of human form and built environment hint at collective experience, inviting viewers to discern personal and communal identities within the chaotic surface.
Technique & Style
Bradford employs a process of ripping, folding and pasting assorted paper and string onto a stretched canvas, then securing the materials with adhesive. The resulting surface is heavily textured, with overlapping edges that create a sense of depth and tension, characteristic of his contemporary abstract practice that blurs the line between painting and sculpture.
History & Provenance
The work entered the collection of the Museum of Modern Art shortly after its creation. Bradford, a prominent figure in collaged painting, has exhibited widely across media, represented the United States at the 2017 Venice Biennale, and was listed among Time’s 100 Most Influential People in 2021.
Artist & collection
Artist
Mark Bradford (born November 20, 1961) is an American visual artist. Bradford was born, lives, and works in Los Angeles and studied at the California Institute of the Arts. Recognized for his collaged painting works,…
