# Chicago artist reimagines American flag for election season

> Chicago artist Bob Faust creates reimagined American flags to promote shared values during election season.
- Title: Chicago artist reimagines American flag for election season
- Summary: Chicago artist Bob Faust creates reimagined American flags to promote shared values during election season. Chicago artist Bob Faust is reimagining the…
- Keywords: bob faust, ways and means project, american flag, election season, civility, joy, humility, strength, love, faith, good chaos, rootwork gallery
- Source: Chicago Sun-Times — https://chicago.suntimes.com/art/2026/10/12/bob-faust-ways-and-means-project-american-flag
- Published: 2026-10-12T10:30:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: bob faust, ways and means project, american flag, election season, civility, joy, humility, strength, love, faith, good chaos, rootwork gallery
## Bob Faust's flag project
Chicago artist Bob Faust reimagines the American flag with values like compassion and joy for election season.

> it’s not me making a new flag or cutting up the american flag because i don’t agree with it
## Project started after 2016 election
Faust began the 'Ways & Means' project after shock and grief from the 2016 election results.

> it was literally born as just like a gut response to trump actually getting in office
## Values for civic life
The project includes values like compassion, joy, humility, strength, love and faith for raising children.

> they are values or morals you think about when raising your kid
## Graphic identity for values
Faust assigned each value a graphic identity like civility in a multicolor perimeter.

> civility, for example, is set within a multicolor perimeter
## First exhibition at Navy Pier
Faust displayed the flags at Navy Pier in September with Chicago Live! Festival.

> in september, faust brought 'ways & means' to navy pier
## Next stops: New York and Illinois
The flags will travel to Madison Square Park in New York and Illinois Governor's Mansion by Oct 22.

> the exhibition is now traveling to madison square park in new york and later in october to the illinois governor’s mansion
## 2021 CTA Green Line cars
In 2021, Faust wrapped eight CTA Green Line cars with the project designs post-pandemic.

> four years later, in 2021, faust wrapped eight cta green line cars
## Good Chaos partnership
Faust partnered with Good Chaos studio to revive the project using flags for public events.

> last spring, faust connected with good chaos, a chicago studio and arts incubator
## Public performances
The project includes processional performances with dancers at Obama Presidential Center and other events.

> the first was a bombastic parade at the obama presidential center in june
## 8,000 polysilk bandanas
Faust printed 8,000 polysilk bandanas for distribution at events and public spaces.

> faust has also printed 8,000 polysilk bandanas, or 'freedom flags'
## Project continues through wear
People can wear, transform or carry the bandanas to continue the project.

> if you carry a bandana with you, you’re now part of the project
## Project's purpose
The project aims to reclaim the American flag as a symbol of shared values, not political division.

> it’s not me making a new flag or cutting up the american flag because i don’t agree with it
## Why the flag matters now
Faust feels the American flag has been increasingly claimed by the political right.

> i have a visceral reaction now when i see the american flag
## What happens next
The project will continue through public events and bandana distribution until election day.

> the project does live forever
## Key takeaway

Chicago artist Bob Faust is reimagining the American flag with values like compassion and joy to foster unity ahead of election season.