4th of July Barbecue Flag (State II) transforms the American flag into a poignant symbol of both national pride and its inherent contradictions. Crafted from the ashes of a burned flag, a remnant of an Independence Day celebration, the lithograph presents the stars and stripes fading into a darkened form. The ashes, with their softening, almost ephemeral presence, turn the once-proud banner into a fragile relic of fleeting moments—a symbol of both destruction and transformation. Ortiz-Torres’s use of unconventional materials—ashes from the barbecue—speaks to a paradox of celebration and critique, emphasizing the complexities of identity and representation within the cultural melting pot. As Ortiz-Torres reflects, “Whether it's Jasper Johns or David Hammons, it seems to me that [the flag] really becomes a symbol of freedom when there's freedom to create it in different versions and interpretations.” The piece, with its quiet yet forceful presence, compels the viewer to reconsider the meanings we attach to national symbols, calling attention to the fragility beneath the surface of festivity.

Description written by Jin Mo, 2025.