Wrestling with My Roots (2015) | 5′ x 1′ x 1′ | Metal fencing, acrylic paint

On July 9, 2015, South Carolina’s governor signed a law that called for the removal of the Confederate battle flag from the State House grounds and send it to a museum. I wanted to speak to this story even though it was an aggressive yet fragile one. I have seen and thought about this flag for much of my life. The material I use in my work allows me to navigate what I believe, what I am feeling. So, in the end, I can place the concept on the material and they stand together, they collaborate. How I decided to display the piece is the most important. I decided to roll it up, to make it feel intimate, small, and like it’s hiding in a corner. Like its saying “don’t look at me, please don’t see me, I’m ashamed.”