Collection Online
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)
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
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Purchased, 1999
© Courtesy of the artist
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of The Vizard Foundation
Gallery location
Not on display
About this work

Constanze Zikos’s works combine influences ranging from ancient history to modernist painting and popular culture. In Fake flag he transformed the Australian flag using everyday materials, such as enamel house paint and laminex adhesives in lurid colours and patterns, and by inserting stars symbolic of 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 the interest of many artists during this time in cultural identity and concepts of authenticity.

Subjects (general)
Abstract Art Allegory and Symbols
Subjects (specific)
Australia (nation) belief symbols commonwealths flags geometric abstraction identity stars (motifs)
Movements
Hard-edge