"Abandoned" by Laura Sussman-Randall

Charcoal/Pastel

60" x 48"

In a continuation of "Torn," a series depicting tattered and damaged American flags, “Abandoned” depicts a quieter, sadder scene than previous drawings in the series, one in which not only the flag itself, but perhaps every value which we have been taught to attach to it, has been insulted, ignored, and left behind in a locale evocative of neglected cities, children in cages, and walls which divide us in every way. The intense dark background and contrasting chain-link fence emphasize the faded state of the flag itself. This piece reflects the darkness of our national mood as we navigated the aftermath of a global pandemic while watching with growing horror the cruelty and indifference becoming increasingly normalized in our society. The image and concept of the American flag has historically been seen (or used) as a uniting force, intended to inspire pride and hope. Yet there is no denying the deep damage that has been done to the tenets of democracy which the flag was intended to represent. These images reflect my deep sadness and fear at the deliberate damage that has been done to this country and the vast gulf of hatred and misunderstanding that has arisen between its citizens. My compulsion to make them, I suppose, reflects my wish that we can still retrieve the best parts of what this country has symbolized and make our way into a more hopeful, united future.