Artwork
Eu, eu, eu
Eu, eu, eu is an unspecified painting by Gheorghiu Val. It dates from 1984 and is held in the collection of the Moldova National Museum Complex.
About this work
Overview
This work, attributed to Gheorghiu Val and dated circa 1984, presents the reverse of a painting rather than its painted surface. Executed on a plain cardboard panel, the piece bears visible signs of age and wear, offering a glimpse into its material history rather than an intended visual composition.
Subject & Meaning
The phrase 'Eu, eu, eu'—Romanian for 'Me, me, me'—is inscribed in faded, irregular handwriting along the upper edge. This repetition suggests an exploration of self-reference or identity, though the work’s unconventional presentation as the back of a panel complicates straightforward interpretation. The inscription may imply a deliberate rejection of traditional self-portraiture.
Technique & Style
The work eschews conventional artistic techniques, consisting instead of a utilitarian support—cardboard—marked by incidental elements: handwritten text, a stamped inventory number ('M.I. 3504'), and the patina of use. The absence of imagery or formal composition aligns it with conceptual practices that prioritize material context over aesthetic execution.
History & Provenance
The blue stamp in the lower right corner indicates institutional cataloging, suggesting the work passed through an archive or collection. The faded inscription and worn surface imply prolonged handling or storage, though specific details of its early ownership remain undocumented. Its attribution to Gheorghiu Val situates it within late 20th-century Romanian artistic production.
Context
Created during a period of political and cultural flux in Eastern Europe, the work’s emphasis on the mundane—its own reverse side—may reflect broader artistic strategies that subverted official narratives. The focus on materiality and bureaucratic traces resonates with practices that interrogated systems of control or authorship under restrictive regimes.
Artist & collection
Artist
Gheorghiu Val made prints and paintings in a raw, direct style that feels like a punch to the ribs.
