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A State of Mind 'Tornado'

Drawing
1974-1996 (drawn)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Paul Neagu (born 1930, Romania; died 2004 UK) has been an important figure in European art since the 1970s. His work and teaching have been influential. He worked in variety of media including sculpture, installation, painting and performance. This drawing is one of a group of 93 given by the artist to the V&A in 1999. This group of drawings was selected by the artist (with the curator Gill Saunders) to trace the development - as far as is possible through works on paper - of Neagu's career. The development, metamorphosis and recurrence of motifs can be seen in different media and variant forms. The drawings record several of his 'signature' forms: the hyphen, the starhead, and his so-called 'subject generator'. There are also studies which relate to installations and performances, and to his concept of 'generative art', an idea which was fundamental to his creative practice. The drawings as a group demonstrate the fascinating interplay of ideas across different media and over the passage of nearly 30 years.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleA State of Mind 'Tornado' (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Red and grey chalks with black ink and oil on paper; black ballpoint pen; red ink
Brief description
Paul Neagu: Drawing related to his 'Going Tornado' performances of 1974-76
Physical description
Drawing, variously inscribed in black ballpoint pen and grey chalk with titles, dates, quotes, and other notes.
Dimensions
  • Height: 42cm
  • Width: 30cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • PAUL NEAGU (1) Signature; Handwriting; ink; Neagu, Paul)
  • 1974-1996 (handwriting; ballpoint pen; Neagu, Paul)
  • Name, address, telephone number and 'hyphen' logo of the Generative Art Trust (Stamped; Ink)
Credit line
Given by the artist
Production
Attribution note: Drawing relating to Neagu's 'Going Tornado' performances of 1974-76.
Summary
Paul Neagu (born 1930, Romania; died 2004 UK) has been an important figure in European art since the 1970s. His work and teaching have been influential. He worked in variety of media including sculpture, installation, painting and performance. This drawing is one of a group of 93 given by the artist to the V&A in 1999. This group of drawings was selected by the artist (with the curator Gill Saunders) to trace the development - as far as is possible through works on paper - of Neagu's career. The development, metamorphosis and recurrence of motifs can be seen in different media and variant forms. The drawings record several of his 'signature' forms: the hyphen, the starhead, and his so-called 'subject generator'. There are also studies which relate to installations and performances, and to his concept of 'generative art', an idea which was fundamental to his creative practice. The drawings as a group demonstrate the fascinating interplay of ideas across different media and over the passage of nearly 30 years.
Bibliographic reference
Gradually Going Tornado. Paul Neagu and his Generative Art Group. Sunderland Arts Centre, Ceolfrith Press, 1975
Collection
Accession number
E.336-1999

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Record createdJanuary 5, 2000
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