Now regarded as one of the artist’s most important site-specific works, this bold and uncompromising piece was first unveiled in 1975, attracting both high praise and heated debate.
To commemorate the occasion, AGSA will host a special celebration on Friday 2 May, including the premiere screening of a newly commissioned documentary and a curated gallery display featuring Judd’s original sketches and archival materials.
Spanning 7.6 metres, Untitled may be unassuming at first glance — but its backstory is anything but. The sculpture came about through a fortunate mix of timing and quick thinking. Judd visited Australia in 1974 for Some Recent American Art, an exhibition touring from New York’s Museum of Modern Art. Initially planning a piece for Sydney, he was unable to secure a suitable location. Seizing the moment, AGSA’s then-director John Baily offered the Gallery’s courtyard instead — and in doing so, secured the only site-specific Donald Judd installation in the Southern Hemisphere.
AGSA Director Jason Smith reflects on the work’s legacy: “What came about as a fortuitous opportunity fifty years ago is now one of AGSA’s most compelling works. Donald Judd’s Untitled reflects the impressive depth and quality of AGSA’s collection, standing as a permanent reminder of the Gallery’s long-practised history of innovation and adaptability.”
The vision
Judd’s vision for the sculpture shifted dramatically upon his arrival in Adelaide. Expecting a flat site, he was instead met with a subtle slope. True to his minimalist ethos, Judd adapted. He redrew his plans, marking out the space himself. The final triangular form, with its angled surfaces, was designed to reflect the land’s natural incline. Built with the support of engineer and Gallery Board trustee Philip Fargher, and constructed by local firm Marshall & Brougham, the work became a harmonious interplay of sharp geometry and horizontal precision — hallmarks of Judd’s celebrated career.
The sculpture’s unveiling came at a time of tension. With the Vietnam War nearing its end, anti-American sentiment was palpable. The exhibition and Judd’s commission drew protests and media attention, with local academics, students and political groups labelling it “American imperialism”.
Despite the controversy, the work has stood the test of time. AGSA Curator of Prints, Drawings & Photographs, Maria Zagala, believes its significance remains underappreciated: “Donald Judd’s Untitled is a treasure hidden in plain sight, with many of our visitors not realising that the piece has such a rich history. This sculpture is one of only a handful of site-specific outdoor installations ever created by the artist, making it an incredibly important work for South Australia and within Judd’s international oeuvre.”
Judd’s son, Flavin Judd — now Director of the Judd Foundation — offers a personal reflection on his father’s work: “Permanent pieces like Untitled at the Art Gallery of South Australia gave Don a chance to expand and experiment. One of the great things about a permanent work is that Don could explore materiality and deal with something like concrete, which you wouldn’t necessarily do with something smaller that would live on a wall.”
To mark the sculpture’s 50th anniversary, AGSA invites the public to First Fridays on 2 May. Alongside the premiere of the new 20-minute documentary, visitors will be treated to a special gallery display revealing the origins and evolution of this landmark work.
Visit agsa.sa.gov.au for full details.
