Bay Area Artist Explores Unity And Nostalgia In Art Installation

REDWOOD CITY, CA — San Jose-based artist Ryan Carrington transforms the American flag into a powerful narrative of community and connection in his latest installation, "Coming Home." Using materials that symbolize different working classes — from Carhartt pants to business suits — Carrington created a 10-foot tablescape that blends an American flag into a nostalgic gingham tablecloth.

Carrington's art installation explores unity and nostalgia through American flags crafted from the uniforms of workers from various class backgrounds. These flags serve as a bridge between communities, prompting reflection on themes of labor, class, identity, and shared values. He said pieces named after family members, such as "Grandma Mae" and "Larry," encourage viewers to perceive everyday items — from pies to plumbing parts — as vehicles for empathy and a richer comprehension of American history.

"I hope that people look in there and they see the pie, and they see the flag that's kind of turning into this nostalgic sort of elongated... how they think about their family and, you know, maybe how life was, or maybe how it is, still."

The Redwood City Improvement Association, in collaboration with Fung Collaboratives, is presenting this latest installation at the Art Kiosk in Redwood City from July 19 to Sept. 7 located at 2208 Broadway St.

The piece emerged from Carrington's ongoing exploration of American identity. A teaching professor at Santa Clara University, Carrington brings personal and regional significance to the work through his upbringing in a blue-collar family in the Midwest, drawing inspiration from family gatherings and traditions. By carefully dying fabrics and meticulously constructing the installation, he reveals how material choices can communicate complex social messages.

"The table has always been a place of coming together," Carrington told Patch. He said his work challenges current divisive interpretations of patriotic symbols, instead presenting the flag as a unifying emblem that represents all Americans.

Notably, the installation's creation was itself a journey of discovery. During the pandemic, Carrington experimented with fabric dyeing in his backyard, unexpectedly creating perfect shades of red and pink through careful material selection.

"Discovery through process is something that has been a big part of my work, and I enjoy it a lot," Carrington told Patch.

With this installation, Carrington invites viewers to reflect on shared experiences, economic diversity, and the potential for unity in an increasingly fragmented society.

"My hope with my work is to sort of push back on [the flag’s meaning] and have it remain a symbol of unity for all no matter what. If we went through troubled times, defensive times, like whatever it is, I think that my goal would be that the American flag still remains the symbol of this country and everything that it stood for through the ages," Carrington told Patch.

The piece continues Carrington's artistic mission of using materiality to explore social dynamics, demonstrating how art can bridge cultural divides.