Artwork
Same diversion toward a systemic sketch
Same diversion toward a systemic sketch is a drawing by Paul Neagu. It dates from 1998 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
This drawing is titled "Same diversion toward a systemic sketch" by Paul Neagu. It's a work from 1998.
The artist used this drawing to explore ideas for his sculpture. He worked out options for siting and relating a version of his 'Endless Edge Hyphen' sculpture in various locations.
To learn more about the techniques used in this drawing, look up the technique of cross-hatching.
Overview
Paul Neagu’s 1998 drawing, titled “Same diversion toward a systemic sketch,” records a series of site‑specific proposals for his “Endless Edge Hyphen” sculpture. Executed on paper, the work functions as a visual study, mapping potential placements of the hyphen form across several Austrian locales.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing centers on Neagu’s recurring hyphen motif, a linear element that he repeatedly re‑contextualised as a sculptural object. By arranging the hyphen within varied geographic settings, the artist investigates how a simple geometric sign can acquire new relational meanings in different environments.
Technique & Style
Neagu employs precise line work, combining cross‑hatching with measured annotations to convey depth, scale, and spatial orientation. The sketch‑like quality reflects his practice of using drawing as a planning tool for larger three‑dimensional projects.
History & Provenance
Created in 1998, the drawing was part of a larger group of works Neagu donated to the Victoria and Albert Museum in 1999. The donation reflects his ongoing engagement with institutional collections and his desire to preserve the developmental stages of his practice.
Context
Neagu, a Romanian‑born artist who settled in the United Kingdom in 1969, worked across sculpture, installation, painting and performance. The hyphen, alongside other personal symbols such as the starhead and “subject generator,” recurs throughout his oeuvre, marking a visual language that bridges his diverse media.
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.
