Fake flag
(1994)
Medium
thermo-setting laminate, enamel paint, crayon, metallic and plastic self-adhesive tape on composition board
Measurements
(a-h) 198.1 × 262.2 cm (overall)
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Purchased, 1999
© Courtesy of the artist
Gallery location
Gallery 10
Level 2, NGV Australia
About this work
In Fake flag Constanze Zikos transforms the Australian flag using everyday materials such as enamel house paint and laminex adhesives in lurid colours and patterns, and by inserting symbolic representations of stars associated with other cultures into his representation of the Southern Cross. This work reveals not only the artist’s fascination with surfaces and decoration but also his interest in geometric abstraction. Moreover, it reflects his preoccupation with cultural identity and authenticity, an interest that was shared by many artists working in the 1990s.
Artwork Details
Inscription
(a) inscribed in blue fibre-tipped pen on reverse u.l.: 1 (in a circle)
(b) inscribed in blue fibre-tipped pen on reverse u.l.: 2 (in a circle)
(c) inscribed in blue fibre-tipped pen on reverse u.l.: 3 (in a circle)
(d) inscribed in blue fibre-tipped pen on reverse u.c.l.: 4 (in a circle)
(g) inscribed in blue fibre-tipped pen on reverse (inverted) l.c.: 7 (in a circle)
(h) inscribed in blue fibre-tipped pen on reverse u.c.: 8 (in a circle)
(a-h) artist stamp in ink on reverse u.c.: CONSTANZE ZIKOS
Accession Number
1999.29.a-h
Department
Contemporary Art
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of The Vizard Foundation
Subjects (general)
Abstract Art Allegory and Symbols
Subjects (specific)
Australia (nation) belief symbols commonwealths flags geometric abstraction identity stars (motifs)
Movements
Hard-edge