Flag: Mexican War c. 1936

Curator: Edward Grant created this watercolor painting around 1936, it’s titled *Flag: Mexican War*. Editor: My first impression is that it's a poignant, almost melancholic take on American symbolism. The watercolor gives it a fragile, faded feel, like a memory. Curator: Indeed. We must understand that any representation of the Mexican-American War will invariably invoke complex, intersecting narratives. It invites us to interrogate notions of nationalism, expansionism, and the displacement of marginalized communities. The legacy of this war, specifically, profoundly shaped not only the US-Mexico border but also racial and ethnic dynamics within the United States. Editor: I agree completely. And considering the flag, such a potent and ubiquitous symbol, seems to incorporate another set of symbols within its canton? Is that a state seal? Curator: It is! The upper left square doesn’t depict stars; rather, it frames an altered Seal of New York, in this case used as a surrogate national symbol, prompting us to consider issues of regionality and allegiance, perhaps reflecting anxieties surrounding the country’s identity. Editor: This altered state seal replaces familiar imagery with localized meaning. We have the figures, one embodying Liberty and the other Justice, alongside imagery of nature and industry... It evokes a distinct cultural identity, distinct to New York state, now superimposed on a symbol associated with broader ideas about America. Curator: Precisely. These embedded images generate powerful interplays of regional pride, labor politics, and national identity that must be considered, along with gender dynamics encoded through figures representing ‘Justice’ or ‘Liberty,’ reflecting power structures still influential today. The effect emphasizes, and problematizes, the mythology of American progress. Editor: Looking at it, this depiction underscores a very layered approach. Considering that symbols gain weight and momentum as they accrue meaning, Grant co-opts these traditional images to generate conversations on a national scale. Curator: Absolutely, through this provocative remixing of symbols and narratives, Grant’s artwork becomes not merely a representation but an urgent call for critical re-evaluation. Editor: Thank you; this exploration has brought new nuance to the symbolism at play. Curator: Agreed, it reinforces the role of art as a vital medium for historical dialogue and the continuing evolution of critical thinking.