The flag, as a charged symbol of nationalism, is layered with meaning in this work. It not only evokes the nationalist sentiments of right-wing politics but also critiques the symbiotic relationship between the state and the Orthodox Christian Church, both of which have historically supported and reinforced authoritarian ideologies in Romania. Panoschi subverts this authoritarian symbol by incorporating elements from kink culture, most notably the hole in the flag designed to align with pelvic height, suggesting the image of a glory hole. This provocative element invites a complex reading of power dynamics, sexuality, and subversion.
The crucifix-shaped bracket that secures the flag to the wooden plinth further deepens the symbolic resonance of the work. This reference to Christ’s stigmata suggests the intertwining of religious martyrdom with political martyrdom, particularly in the context of Nicolae Ceaușescu, who remains a contentious figure in Romania, revered by some as a martyr following his execution in 1989. The flag’s suspension via a spear-shaped implement additionally evokes the figure of Vlad the Impaler, another Romanian leader who, like Ceaușescu, fled insurrection and met a violent death. Both figures, though from different historical contexts, are linked by their authoritarian rule, their violent ends, and their lasting legacies in Romanian national identity.
Ceaușescu’s Freak F(l)ag serves as a critical exploration of identity politics, the fetishisation and martyrdom of ruthless leaders, and the enduring influence of nationalist ideologies in contemporary society. Even in nations such as Australia, which promises utopian economic and social models, the work underscores the ways in which systems of exploitation persist and continue to shape the lives of the masses.
Stefa Panoschi (b. 2000, she/her) is an emerging artist working in Naarm/Melbourne. Stefa has spent the last few years queering the limits of cultural identity, religious nationalism and home. Stefa is interested in the conflicts/ contradictions and problematics of an “East-West” life. Stefa works from a personal and familial history.