The Flag Waver
Ned Cartledge
American, 1916–2001
Details
Title
The Flag Waver
Artist/Maker
Ned Cartledge (American, 1916–2001)
Date
1970
Medium
Wood and paint
Dimensions
36 3/4 x 33 1/2 x 2 1/2 inches
Credit
T. Marshall Hahn Collection
Accession #
1996.33
Location
Currently not on view
Cartledge considers this powerful expression of his anger toward Southern racial strife in the 1960s and 1970s to be among his strongest carvings. The overturned school bus and closed public school symbolize the sacrifice of education to segregationist extremism. The racist treads on a fallen protester and simultaneously silences a journalist. A dripping red line severs the racist’s head from his body. The work is framed by ax handles—the classic mob weapon.