Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an unspecified painting by the Contemporary Abstract artist Mohamed Melehi. It dates from 1975 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1975, this untitled work by Moroccan artist Mohamed Melehi consists of a lacquered board supporting an abstract composition. Dominated by a yellow field, the surface is traversed by irregular, sweeping bands of orange, blue and black, while a narrow gray line bisects the lower right corner. The overall effect balances vivid chromatic energy with a restrained geometric rhythm.
Subject & Meaning
The painting does not depict recognizable objects; instead it explores the interaction of color and line. The undulating stripes suggest motion across a static ground, inviting viewers to consider the tension between fluidity and stability. The contrast of the bright hues against the muted gray accent underscores a dialogue between spontaneity and compositional order.
Technique & Style
Melehi’s approach aligns with mid‑20th‑century abstract tendencies, emphasizing flat color fields and gestural mark‑making within a minimalist framework.
Executed in lacquer, the piece achieves a high-gloss surface that reflects light like polished metal or plastic. The hand‑drawn quality of the bands is evident in slight irregularities along their edges, imparting a tactile, almost organic presence. Melehi’s approach aligns with mid‑20th‑century abstract tendencies, emphasizing flat color fields and gestural mark‑making within a minimalist framework.
History & Provenance
Since its completion, the work has entered the collection of the Museum of Modern Art, where it is displayed as part of the institution’s holdings of post‑colonial modernist art. Its acquisition reflects MoMA’s broader effort to represent diverse artistic voices from the Global South within its narrative of modern abstraction.
Artist & collection
