American Flag, 2019, 24.5” x 41.5,” Grandmother’s old linen, mother of pearl shells, thread, homemade blueberry dye, indigo

It was inspired by my grandfather. He lied about his age to serve in WWII, he received awards for his service, but when he returned home from service he couldn't eat in the same restaurant as the white serviceman he served next to and he wasn't permitted to become a fireman based on his race. There are countless stories like his across the US. Americans not American enough. (The shells are the stars and represent coming across the ocean in bondage and surviving, the red are stripes, the blood and in between the stripes brown bodies representing people the middle passage). Crosses are burning crosses. X are the dead - black souls lost to America, roadrunner tracks.

Last two photos by Tina K. Lieberman