When did national pride become a tool of control?

This piece critiques the rise of nationalism in the US and the uncritical embrace of national pride. The QAnon Shaman stands before a crumbling Capitol building, holding an American flag that drags along the U.S. Constitution, leaving a scar as blood pours from the wound. It explores how blind allegiance to patriotic symbols can lead to the erosion of democratic principles and the distortion of what once represented freedom and justice.

The artwork challenges us to question: When does pride for one’s country become a tool for division? And how do we reconcile the ideals of democracy with the reality of the forces that now control them?