The artwork titled “Flag” was created by Howard Finster in 1991 and belongs to the Art Brut movement. This figurative piece encapsulates elements of the American flag intertwined with textual and illustrative elements.
The artwork vividly combines visual and textual elements to convey its narrative. The central figure is a portrait, set against a backdrop of the American flag. The face of the person is surrounded by rays of red, white, and blue, symbolizing the colors of the flag. The flag itself is composed of horizontal stripes that contain snippets from the lyrics of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” written in bold uppercase letters. These lyrics occupy spaces between eclectic, illustrative visuals including stars, eagles, and patriotic motifs. The meticulous, handwritten text in black ink also adorns various sections of the artwork, adding a layer of personal annotation and commentary by the artist. Overall, the artwork presents a dynamic interplay of patriotic symbols and infused personal expressions characteristic of Finster’s signature style.
