RENO AIR RACE P51 Print

Old Glory, the American flag, evokes powerful emotions making the unique "American Icon" series one of the most provocative in the art world. We've waved it, burned it, saluted it, wrapped fallen soldiers in it, kneeled before it and prayed under it. David SchwARTZ is the first and only artist to paint on it. SchwARTZ's work has an untraditional following of collectors with his raw canvas--retired American flags--gifted to him for the purpose of the art from active and retired members of all six branches of the US Military as well as firefighters, police officers, FBI agents, prominent politicians and patriotic citizens. Every one of these donors gifts their retired flag to ensure that its life history lives on to tell a unique American story. SchwARTZ challenges our perception of the flag from the minute he stretches the fabric as canvas. Is this ethical, is it legal? By capturing each flags history in the subject matter of the art, he further elevates one of the nation's most valued principles: Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Expression, kicking off a conversation that's been long overdue.