“American Flag” 60”x36” Acrylic paint on textile 2018. Flags are traditional symbols for nations and organizations for identification and to designate territory. The stars and stripes of the American flag is easily the most recognizable worldwide, representing both freedom and/or oppression depending on the perspective. The flag can be used to express honor and love of country, as well as burned or waved upside down in protest, without the punishment of persecution. Since its initial design, it has been creatively used throughout art history, and the painting of my weeds upon the flag follows in that tradition. Weeds are defined in basic terms as plants growing in places where they are unwanted. Weeds are borderless. They have the strength and resilience to survive harsh conditions, spreading far and wide. Many weeds contain medicinal uses or nourishing properties. Ultimately, a weed is part of Nature's design, fighting to survive in a challenging world. The combination of weeds with the American Flag takes on several new symbolic meanings. America is a country of immigrants, foreigners who have invaded and taken over the land spreading far and wide. As contemporary America struggles with current immigration issues of undesired outsiders entering illegally, weeds that threaten to spread unchecked. Meanwhile, in some foreign eyes, America is very much a colonizer, a kind of weed that has spread both its interests and culture into every corner of the globe whether welcome or not. How you perceive my Weed Flag says much about your perspective of the world. The concept of nation is constantly being redefined: we are all citizens of one planet. #vojislavradovanovic #vojislavradovanovicart #americanflag #theoryofunity #weedflag (at Avenue 50 Studio) https://www.instagram.com/p/CBNM3r4HNZm/?igshid=1nl6j3un17u7x
