During World War II soldiers fought valiantly on behalf of the United States despite being relegated to segregated units and despite the racism they faced at home and in the military. They sought a “Double Victory” against both fascism and racism. But survivors of units such as the Nisei and Tuskegee airmen were treated as second-class citizens when they returned home. The title of this assemblage refers to the fact that the first victory may have been won in 1945, but nearly a century later, the second remains elusive.
My starting point was an iconic World War II poster featuring a Tuskegee airman asking Americans to buy war bonds to “Keep Us Flying”. I isolated the head of the airman from that poster, positioning him so that he looks directly towards an eagle that represents the United States. The eagle was painted by my Venetian grandmother in the early 20th century.
Between the frames hangs a portion of a necklace that I designed in the colors of clouds and the sky. It represents the glass ceiling that remains.
Custom framed with museum glass.
