Still American: The Art of Endurance
Still American: The Art of Endurance
In Still American, artist Brandon Ralph transforms one of the nation’s most recognized icons—the American flag—into a sculptural meditation on memory, identity, and permanence. Presented as part of The American Arts Conservancy’s ongoing recognition of America’s 250th anniversary, Ralph’s work asks what it means to see the flag anew: as both symbol and sculpture, tradition and reimagination.
As the country pauses this week to honor Veterans Day—a moment to reflect on service, sacrifice, and the enduring values that shape the American spirit—Ralph’s work takes on an added resonance. His sculptural flags speak not of division, but of quiet resilience and unity. Through material and form, they embody the same perseverance that has carried generations forward, a testament to the endurance of ideals as much as of art itself.
Ralph’s sculptural flags merge material experimentation with cultural reflection, offering a dialogue between the tangible and the ideological. His work invites viewers to consider the evolving nature of national identity—what endures, what changes, and how art bridges those tensions.
Interview with Brandon Ralph
Q1. Your Still American series reinterprets one of our most enduring national symbols. What inspired this body of work, and what drew you to the flag as your central motif?
The American flag, in itself, is one of the most recognizable symbols that reach the furthest end of the earth. With that, I wanted to create a moving portrait of the flag—one that draws you in with its movement, revealing stories embedded in the fabric and bleeding through with text and imagery. Each flag thematically tells its own story, both figuratively and literally, giving it its strength.
Q2. Many of your flags feel weathered or timeless—as though they’ve witnessed history. How do material, texture, and process inform the meaning behind each piece?
I wanted to bring these beautiful decommissioned flags back to life, capturing and almost recreating a still moment—as if they were blowing in the wind. Each piece has been worn in its own way, inspiring the shape, words, and imagery that I incorporate into each story.
Q3. The title Still American feels both declarative and reflective. What does that phrase mean to you?
I fell in love with the word “still” for many reasons. To create a moving portrait, the flag itself had to be still—almost frozen in time. To stay still takes strength, and to be still takes perseverance.
Q4. As the nation prepares to commemorate America 250, how do you see your work contributing to the conversation about legacy and identity in contemporary America?
I look to remind people that we are all still here together. The beauty of America lies in its ideals and its cultural diversity.
Q5. When viewers encounter your sculptural flags, what emotion or reflection do you hope they carry away?
Aside from finding beauty in its form, I aim to remind people that the American flag and its symbolism have continued to attract people from the farthest corners of the earth—through both the best and worst of times.
Q6. What role do you believe artists play in defining and preserving cultural symbols in a modern context?
Art is one of the greatest platforms to engage and draw people in with its beauty, pushing boundaries in an abstract and, at times, disarming way that other forms of media cannot.
Closing Reflection
Through Still American, Brandon Ralph reclaims the familiar and renders it extraordinary. His sculptural flags stand as both relics and revelations—proof that the symbols we inherit continue to evolve with each generation. As The American Arts Conservancy marks America’s 250th year of independence, Ralph’s work reminds us that the story of this nation is still being written—through art, through dialogue, and through the steadfast spirit of those who continue to serve and create in its name.
