Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a paint painting by the Contemporary Abstract artist Matthew Abbott. It dates from 1994 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1994, this untitled work by Matthew Abbott is an abstract composition executed in synthetic polymer paint and modeling paste on linen. The painting is part of the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art, where it is displayed among other post‑modern works.
Subject & Meaning
The canvas presents a dynamic arrangement of bold shapes and curving lines that interlock and overlap. A palette of red, green, brown, and teal set against a creamy ground generates a lively visual rhythm, inviting viewers to consider the interplay of color and form without representing any recognizable subject.
Technique & Style
Abbott combines traditional painting with the application of modeling paste, a thick medium that builds surface relief. This creates varied textures, from smooth painted areas to raised, tactile sections, enhancing the sense of depth and emphasizing the painting’s abstract language.
History & Provenance
Since its completion, the piece has remained in the care of the Museum of Modern Art. It entered the museum’s collection through acquisition shortly after its creation, reflecting the institution’s interest in contemporary abstract practices of the early 1990s.
Context
The work aligns with a period when artists explored the material possibilities of synthetic paints and mixed media on fabric supports. Abbott’s use of modeling paste echoes broader experimental trends that sought to blur the boundaries between painting and relief sculpture.
Artist & collection
