Until the end of June 2025, the artwork This is not a flag by artist Maryam Najd can be admired on the Art Wall in the entrance hall of the UZ Brussels Hospitalizations. This installation is part of her ongoing project, The Non-Existence Flag Project, and conveys a powerful message of unity that transcends borders and ideologies. The UZ Brussels showcases a different artwork on the art wall every three months.
Maryam Najd, who is of Iranian descent, draws upon her personal experiences as an immigrant in her work. She left her homeland years ago and has since frequently faced nationalistic judgments and prejudices, largely due to her Iranian nationality and the associated symbolism. These experiences have inspired her artistic quest for a world without borders.
Through the Non-Existence Flag Project, Najd explores how national flags—often charged symbols of power and ideology—can be reduced to abstract forms. She questions their significance and presents an alternative, peaceful vision in contrast.
"Flags are powerful signs of identity, but they can also incite polarization and conflict," the artist explains.
Flags as Color, Not as Borders
For this installation, Najd utilized the flags of 193 countries that are members of the United Nations, supplemented by a few observers such as Palestine, the Holy See, Taiwan, and Kosovo. The flags are displayed on 50 wooden panels, each arranged alphabetically with four countries per panel.
Each country was assigned a unique color, achieved by blending the original colors of the flags into a single hue, where color represents a vision of a boundless and harmonious world united in peace. This results in a new, abstract visual language in which the world is no longer divided by symbolism but united by color.
"With This is not a flag, UZ Brussel once again opts for an artwork that combines social engagement with aesthetics. The theme of connectedness and universal humanity closely aligns with the hospital's mission. UZ Brussel provides care without distinction and is there for everyone," said Luk Lambrecht, art curator of UZ Brussel.
About Maryam Najd
Maryam Najd is a Belgian-Iranian visual artist who lives and works in Antwerp. Her work is heavily influenced by her migration history and explores themes such as identity, gender, politics, and religion. Najd is known for her critical reflections on symbolism and power, often translated into abstract and conceptual art forms.
