Jenny Holzer

Study for Unex Sign #1
1983

Not on view

Date
1983

Classification
Drawings

Medium
Fiber-tipped pen, correction fluid, and graphite pencil on collaged paper

Dimensions
Sheet (Irregular): 4 3/8 × 13 7/8in. (11.1 × 35.2 cm)

Accession number
85.54.6

Credit line
Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; gift of the artist

Rights and reproductions
©Jenny Holzer/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

API
artworks/5361

Part of a series:
Studies for Unex Sign #1
23 works

A minimalist line drawing of a human figure in a horizontal flying pose with arms outstretched, resembling a superhero in flight, against a white background. The figure is drawn with simple black lines and is positioned above a stylized representation of a chair, also in black lines, suggesting the figure is levitating or flying above the chair.
Sketch of a stylized female face with prominent eyelashes and lips, wearing a ruffled collar or garment, drawn in black ink with purple accents on an off-white paper background.
Illustration of a fly with detailed wings and segmented body on a cream-colored background.
A simple line drawing of a clenched fist viewed from the side, with the thumb tucked in and visible above the fingers. The drawing is done in purple lines on a cream-colored background, and the cuff of the sleeve is filled in with black and purple colors. The paper appears slightly wrinkled or creased at the edges.
A sketch of a stylized profile of a face with prominent lines and angles, drawn in purple ink on a piece of paper with some creases and tape at the top. Handwritten notes and numbers are visible at the top edge of the paper.
A sketch of a reclining baby with exaggerated features drawn in bold, dark lines on a piece of paper. The baby's expression is peaceful, and the drawing is stylized with minimal detail. Handwritten notes on the right side of the paper suggest color details for a blue blanket with red where folds are. The number "#55" is also written near the bottom right corner.
A simplistic line drawing of a hand with fingers in a snapping position on a cream-colored paper background, with the paper appearing slightly torn at the top left corner and affixed with pieces of yellow tape on the top left and bottom right corners.
A minimalist line drawing of a hand with the index finger and thumb forming a circle on a cream-colored paper, with pieces of yellow tape on the edges.
A minimalist line drawing of a profile of a face on a cream-colored background. The artwork features bold black lines outlining the nose, lips, and chin, with a single eye depicted by a few curved lines and lashes. The drawing is abstract and expressive, with a focus on the contours of the facial features.
A sketch of a profile view of a person's face with exaggerated features, drawn in bold black lines on a white background. The image includes handwritten notes questioning the depiction of the eye, nose, and mouth.


On the Hour

A 30-second online art project:
Maya Man, A Realistic Day In My Life Living In New York City

Learn more about this project

Learn more at whitney.org/artport

On the Hour projects can contain motion and sound. To respect your accessibility settings autoplay is disabled.