STARS OR STRIPES

What do we believe in?

Stars Or Stripes, 2010-2011
Marble
Unique work
H200 x W300 x D60cm
© Mark Humphrey

COLLABORATORS
Pietrasanta Cultural Institute
U.S. Embassy London

“STARS OR STRIPES TRANSFORMS THE AMERICAN FLAG INTO A MONUMENTAL SCULPTURE, HAND-CARVED FROM SOLID MARBLE. SOMETHING NORMALLY LIGHT ENOUGH TO CATCH THE WIND BECOMES HEAVY AND SEEMINGLY PERMANENT. ITS UNDULATING SURFACE RETAINS THE MOVEMENT OF A FLAG, CREATING A CONTRADICTION BETWEEN WEIGHT AND LIGHTNESS, PERMANENCE AND CHANGE.

THE TITLE ASKS US TO LOOK AGAIN AT THE FLAG ITSELF. STARS OR STRIPES? TWO ELEMENTS THAT TOGETHER FORM ONE NATIONAL SYMBOL CAN ALSO SUGGEST SEPARATION – DIFFERENT SIDES, DIFFERENT BELIEFS, DIFFERENT VISIONS OF WHAT AMERICA SHOULD BE. THE WORK QUESTIONS WHETHER A NATION CAN REMAIN UNITED WHEN ITS PEOPLE APPEAR DIVIDED.”

Mark Humphrey