Continuing the focus on color and identity- this series explores how colors, designs, and symbols shape our sense of self both individually and collectively through the compositions in the national flags of sovereign states. The name is a double-entendre, as ‘Leviathan’ is more commonly referred to as a powerful sea monster that threatens humanity and yet this reference obscures the important book by Thomas Hobbes on the social contract of statecraft and the important role that governments can, and should, play in avoiding war.

The first image is a compilation of all 24 countries whose flags are comprised only of Red, White, and Blue. The second image superimposes the wireframe design of all flags, from every country, from all over the world. The third image is a collection of all flags that feature weaponry while the last image is a collection of all the stars. I guess this project asks the question, if we’re too reliant upon nationalism to form our identities, aren’t we creating a new ‘Leviathan’, a type of monster that threatens humanity?