Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a watercolor drawing by William Pye. It dates from 1967 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1967, this untitled work by William Pye combines colored ink, watercolor, and collage on a sheet of graph paper. The piece is classified as a drawing and is part of the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
Subject & Meaning
The composition features two abstract, curved forms. One resembles a segmented half‑circle, while the other appears as a twisted, V‑shaped structure filled with parallel lines. Small photographic inserts at the bottom reference actual curved objects, suggesting a dialogue between drawing and three‑dimensional design.
Technique & Style
Pye employs a precise grid background to organize the composition, using colored ink to delineate edges and watercolor to provide tonal variation. Collaged photographic fragments are integrated into the paper, blurring the boundary between illustration and material evidence.
History & Provenance
The work was produced in the late 1960s, a period when Pye explored the relationship between drawing and architectural planning. It entered the Museum of Modern Art’s collection shortly after its creation and remains on display there.
Context
Marked measurements in inches and accompanying folding instructions indicate that the drawing functions as a technical plan for constructing the depicted forms. This aligns with Pye’s broader interest in translating two‑dimensional sketches into physical objects.
Artist & collection
