Untitled (Asemic Composition on Red Block)
Work on paper, drawing/mixed media • Unidentified; execution in the style of Retna (Marquis Duriel Lewis) or Jose Parla, suggesting an artist influenced by contemporary street art calligraphy and asemic writing
Style & Movement
Asemic Writing / Post-Graffiti / Abstract Expressionism
Medium & Technique
Ink or marker over red pigment (possibly acrylic or oil pastel) on heavy white paper with deckled edges and peripheral perforations
Creation Period
Late 20th to early 21st Century (Circa 1990-present)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 24 x 18 inches (framed); vertical portrait orientation
Subject Description
The composition features a centralized rectangle of textured red pigment with feathered edges. Overlaid at the center is a dense square of black calligraphic symbols. These characters lack a standard alphabet, focusing on the visual rhythm of line and gesture (asemic writing). The surrounding negative space of the large white sheet emphasizes the central action.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Excellent; the piece appears well-preserved under glass with no visible signs of UV damage or paper oxidation
Estimated Market Value
$500 - $1,500 (based on decorative value and anonymous attribution)
Auction Estimate
$300 - $800
Provenance History
Likely acquired through a contemporary art gallery or direct from the artist; the framing suggests a modern private collection
Art Historical Significance
Represents the intersection of street art aesthetics and fine art abstraction. It explores the deconstruction of language into pure visual form, a practice rooted in the works of artists like Cy Twombly and expanded by late 20th-century graffiti artists.
Notable Features
The use of perforated edge paper (reminiscent of notebook sheets) contrasts with the formal presentation, a hallmark of urban contemporary art subverting traditional media.
Condition Issues
None visible; minor reflections on the glass in photographs are environmental and do not indicate issues with the work itself.
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain in a climate-controlled environment away from direct sunlight; ensure the use of archival mounting materials and UV-protective glazing.