Old Glory
48 x 57inches
By Tamara Kapan – mixed media
The elements of my piece are a simple nod to the American flag. Symbolizing the sacred freedoms afforded to us by the U.S. Constitution.
Our flag has endured a lot over the 235 years we have been a country. It has been carried to battle, waved proudly, hung at half mast, burned and pledged to. To me this flag represents all that is honorable with America. It is a simple and beautiful symbol of our strength, courage, toughness, creativity and resourcefulness.
The United States Constitution that states in part:
, “…We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of Happiness…”
It seems like our world is getting more agitated and the pursuit of happiness is more difficult than ever. We turn on the news and see countries where life and liberties are taken. In my sacred altar I have used old play structure parts to symbolize the freedom to grow up without fear and oppression and to be able to have an education no matter what your gender. I have used an old wooden pallet and tractor wheel part to symbolize free commerce and good old fashioned capitalism. The wheel is also a nod to our own American Revolution over two centuries ago. Back then one of the first American flags had thirteen stars arranged in a circle and our forefathers had the foresight to draft a constitution which is still relevant and governing our lands today. After watching many Middle East countries in various states of revolution during the past months I am reminded how tenuous freedom can be. If we don’t protect it, nurture it, treat it as sacred we could lose it.
Lastly, the horse shoe is for luck because I think as a country we could use some right now.
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