watercolor, color pencil, ink; 16×20″
“Do you stand for the flag? Is it pride you stand for, or is it because you feel obligated to? When a viewer sets their eyes on my piece I would like them to see the red, white and blue and be proud of their nation. I want their attention drawn to the fact it’s reversed, and to ask why. It’s globally known that a country’s flag hung upside down is a way to show distress, as well as a form of protest. The viewer won’t know why it’s upside down until they read what it’s made from- news articles printed on red, white and blue paper that talk about ICE and their brutality towards immigrants. The group displayed are detainees, colored in the flag from which they came from. They hold a place in important jobs or roles. From left to right, Construction worker, Teacher, Doctor, Graduate, Farm worker, Native American, and soldier.”
ARTIST BIO: Alicia MENDOZA-SOROLA is a grade 12 student at Butler Tech School of Art studying art under art teacher Mary Catherine Ruby