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.