Untitled 

This untitled drawing was made by Nasreen Mohamedi, an artist working in India between the 1950s and 1980s. Through a close study of her life and work, we can ask important questions about the place of women in the history of modernism, and the relationship between non-western artists and international art movements. The abstract lines and geometric shapes, executed in delicate graphite, might be seen as part of the global language of minimalist art at that time. However, in India, modernism took on a unique resonance. Mohamedi's emphasis on line and form can be understood as a response to the rich artistic traditions of Islamic art and architecture in India. It also represents a radical step, since as a woman she faced social barriers to entering the male-dominated art world. To fully appreciate Mohamedi's contribution, it's important to consider how gender, religion, and national identity shaped her artistic vision. You might explore the archives of Indian art institutions and libraries to understand this context more fully.