Her Flag
Her Flag is a nationwide collaborative art project celebrating the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment and the 72 years-long nonviolent fight that kicked open voting for women in the United States.
The 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment to the United States Constitution is in 2020. This amendment kicked open the door for women to begin voting on a National level in America.
It took 36 states to ratify the 19th amendment. Visual Artist, Marilyn Artus, is going to travel to Wisconsin, the first state to ratify the amendment, and begin a 14 month journey, traveling in order of ratification to all 36 states that gave women the right to vote. Marilyn will collaborate with a woman artist in each state to create a 36 stripe flag. The flag will be HUGE 18’ x 26’.
Each artist will publicly hand Marilyn the stripe representing her state, in the capital of that state, and Marilyn will sew it onto the flag in that capital city. The public will be invited to witness this performance and take a moment to remember this important anniversary in American history.
The actual making of the flag on the road and the performances in each state are a pivotal part of the project. The public sewing of the flag raises awareness about this anniversary and hopefully creates dialog in each community about women in the political life of the United States.The flag will be completed in the summer of 2020.
This project is about moving forward. This project is not about Democrats or Republicans. It is about Americans and celebrating an important anniversary in our history and how we can encourage more women to be involved in our democracy. The journey and the completed flag are a thank you and a visual love letter to the states that gave women the right to vote.
I am proud to have a small part in this project representing and celebrating such a commemorative time. It is an honor to be asked to portray the strong and inspiring women that have come before us. Minnesota’s landscape is iconic and it is through the land and its people that we can proudly represent the progress of the beautiful place we call home. Taking cues from our city and state, such as landmarks and natural elements, these vibrant and graphic shapes are boldly accompanied by strong woman figures weaving in and out of the environment. It is through the strength of standing up for an idea, and through working together that we can achieve great things. This project is a beautiful representation of creativity, collaboration and bringing people together. I’m honored to have the chance to participate and create something to celebrate a large piece of our progress.
Initial sketch of flag stripe design
Initial sketch of flag stripe design
The event took place in St. Paul Minnesota on September 26, 2019 at the Landmark Center. It was a beautiful gathering of individuals, and ceremonial celebration. Thanks to all that came out to join and witness the sewing of the 15th stripe onto the flag. What an honor to be included in this project.
The flag will be on its journey until fall 2020. Keep up with the progress at herflag.com and on social media.
