7457: The Complex Art Of Patriotism.

From The New York Times…

The Dream Described

Whitfield Lovell

The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., whom we honor today, talked about the disparity between promise and reality in America. This work — a conté crayon drawing with garlands of American flags — is meant to explore those themes, too. It juxtaposes a black woman’s face with the flag to conjure the complex relationship between African-Americans and patriotism. The tension grows out of the contradiction of living in a country that did not afford my ancestors basic human rights — while at the same time being fully aware and proud of the contributions those very ancestors made to our history and culture.

“Kin II (Oh Damballah).” Conté crayon on paper with found paper flags on a string.