Artwork
'Flying Cross' ('Definition')
'Flying Cross' ('Definition') is a drawing by Paul Neagu. It dates from 1979 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
The artist wrote notes like *"piece of marble weighting down"* and *"Two beams of oak crossed by steel kept in balance by marble.
This drawing shows a purple triangle balanced on a block with two yellow beams crossed on top. One beam has a blue line running through it, and a small flame shoots up from the block. The artist wrote notes like *"piece of marble weighting down"* and *"Two beams of oak crossed by steel kept in balance by marble."*
The title is *"Flying Cross"*—it’s a simple setup but looks like it could tip over. The artist, Paul Neagu, made this in 1979.
Check out the Victoria and Albert Museum to see this drawing in person.
Overview
Paul Neagu's 'Definition' is a preparatory drawing for his sculpture 'Flying Cross', created in 1979 using pencil and colored crayons. The work features annotated notes alongside a depicted structure.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing illustrates a precarious balance: a purple triangle (possibly marble) on a block, topped by crossed yellow oak beams, one intersected by a blue line, with a flame emanating from the base. Notes specify materials and balance, suggesting an exploration of equilibrium and material properties.
Technique & Style
Neagu employed a mixed media approach, combining pencil outlines with colored crayons for vibrancy. The inclusion of handwritten annotations integrates conceptual explanation with visual representation.
History & Provenance
Created in 1979 as a study for 'Flying Cross', the drawing is now part of the Victoria and Albert Museum's collection.
Context
'Definition' reflects Neagu's interest in conceptual and kinetic art, characteristic of late 20th-century avant-garde practices that emphasized idea over form.
Legacy
As a preparatory work, 'Definition' provides insight into Neagu's creative process, underscoring the planning behind his sculptural explorations of balance and materiality.
Artist & collection
Artist
Paul Neagu (1938–2004) was a Romanian-British artist, born in Romania and living in England from 1970 onwards, who worked in diverse media such as drawing, sculpture, performance art and watercolor. He died on 16 June 2004 in London.
