Flag of Endurance

2024 · Physical and digital; wool, string, mesh fabric; Adobe Photoshop

For my flag, I chose to show part of my body in connection to my figure skating journey that I've pursued since childhood because it is a defining part of my life. Skating has shaped who I am, but it has also come with injuries and painful moments. Through my flag, I wanted to express the strength required to endure these challenges such as the resilience of both the body and mind. Athletes often conceal their pain to keep pushing forward, and I expressed this by using wool and various strings to create resemblances of blood, tendons, and ligaments. Using shades of red, I emphasized the pain and contrasted it with black-and-white depictions of body parts in order to show the hidden struggles behind the art and dedication of an athlete (myself). I documented my flag at the ice rink that I always practiced in because it is where my story took place.