Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a drawing by Rachel New. It dates from 1977 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
The work is a wax‑crayon drawing created by a young student, Rachel New, while she attended Altmore Infant School in East Ham, London, during the 1970s. It captures a street scene of a community celebration held for Queen Elizabeth II’s Silver Jubilee in 1977, rendered from the perspective of a child.
Subject & Meaning
The composition depicts a bustling street party filled with bunting, flags, and numerous participants, illustrating how the local neighbourhood marked the royal milestone. By presenting the festivities through a child’s eyes, the drawing offers insight into everyday childhood experiences of public celebration in late‑1970s London.
Technique & Style
Executed in wax crayon, the piece employs vivid, saturated colours and simplified forms that emphasize the joyous atmosphere. The medium allows for bold, flat areas of hue, while the loose, spontaneous line work conveys movement and the energetic spirit of the crowd.
History & Provenance
Created by Rachel New while she was a pupil at Altmore Infant School, the drawing remained within her personal collection before being documented as an example of school‑age artwork reflecting a national event. Its provenance traces directly to the artist’s family, preserving its original context.
Context
The Silver Jubilee in 1977 prompted widespread public celebrations across the United Kingdom, with street parties becoming a common expression of communal pride. East Ham, a working‑class district in East London, participated in these festivities, and the drawing records the local manifestation of this national occasion.
Artist & collection
Artist
Rachel Newman (born May 1, 1938) is an American magazine editor and artist, daughter of Maurice Newman and Edythe Brenda Tichell. She was raised in Massachusetts and Virginia, and currently resides in New York City.
