For Which It Stands...

About

This exhibition examines depictions of the American flag through more than 70 works by a diverse group of artists, beginning during WWI with Childe Hassam’s Italian Day, May 1918 and continuing to the present day, including a textile sculpture commissioned for the show from Maria de Los Angeles.

The exhibition includes work in a variety of media by artists including Jasper Johns, Faith Ringgold, Robert Rauschenberg, Shepard Fairey, and Julie Mehretu, and challenges viewers to consider who the American flag truly represents and whether justice is available to all.

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Date

January 23-July 25, 2026

Location

Bellarmine Hall Galleries and Walsh Gallery

Exhibition Details

Curator: Carey Mack Weber, Executive Director, Fairfield University Art Museum

Faculty Liaison: Aaron Weinstein, PhD, Assistant Professor of Politics

Two hands twist a striped, red, white, and blue cloth resembling an American flag against a textured, dark background, suggesting tension and struggle.

Mark Thomas Gibson, "The Wringer", 2021, ink on canvas. The Collection of Michael Citrone © Mark Thomas Gibson.

A U.S. flag covered with military gear, including belts and ammo pouches, hangs vertically. The arrangement evokes themes of war and patriotism.

Sara Rahbar, "I don’t trust you anymore, Flag #59", 2019, mixed media, collected vintage objects, on vintage US flag. Courtesy of the artist. © Sara Rahbar.

Abstract artwork features a U.S. flag design with silver stripes and a splattered paint section. The minimalist, modern piece has a sleek, sophisticated tone.

Tim Ferguson Sauder, Return Design Lab, Olin College, "American Flag 5", 2019 [Nature, VT + Honorary Heather Heyer Way, Charlottesville, VA], plywood with gathered marks, fixative. Courtesy of the artist. © Tim Ferguson Sauder.

Bellarmine Hall Galleries Labels

Inside the Bellarmine Hall Galleries, the labels begin underneath the exhibition lettering, and continue clockwise around the front gallery, ending with the stairs.
Walsh Gallery Labels

Labels begin to your left as you enter the Walsh Gallery, and continue clockwise. Labels marked with a star were contributed by Fairfield University faculty members.
Etiquetas

Bellarmine Hall Galleries y Walsh Gallery.

National Catholic Reporter

"At a Jesuit university, American flag art exhibit explores patriotism and protest"
Fox61

CT Cultural Districts | Arts at Fairfield University
State of the Arts

Curator Carey Mack Weber talks "For Which It Stands..."
News 8 WTNH: Nyberg

Fairfield University Art Museum hosting exhibit on American Flag
Artscope Magazine

The Promise and The Paradox
Fairfield University Magazine

For Which It Stands...
ArtDaily News

Fairfield University Art Museum announces exhibitions to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the U.S.
Connecticut News 12

Road Trip Close to Home: For Which it Stands
The Fairfield Mirror

“For Which It Stands” Art Exhibit Highlights 250 Years of Patriotism
Wall Street Journal

America 250 Calendar: Ways to Celebrate the Nation Across the Nation.
Hyperallergic

15 Art Excursions Outside NYC This Spring.

Schedule of Events

Events listed below with a location are live, in-person programs. When possible, those events will also be streamed and the recordings posted to our YouTube channel.

Art in Focus: Rosson Crow, Fragility (Pax Americana), 2023, acrylic, spray paint, photo transfer, and oil on canvas

Thursday, May 7, Noon and 1 p.m.

Walsh Gallery

Family Day Series

12:30-2 p.m. and 2:30-4 p.m.
(Space limited; registration required)

Bits & Pieces, Stars & Stripes: Reimagined Flags from Recycled Finds

Saturday, April 25

Participants will be invited to bring their own materials and choose from the broad array of fabrics, single-use plastics, egg cartons, and the like, to create a unique 3D flag assemblage inspired by some of the contemporary artworks that use unconventional materials, from American military gear to native wildflowers.

Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts Lobby

Thank You

The Fairfield University Art Museum is deeply grateful to the following corporations, foundations, and government agencies for their generous support of this year’s exhibitions and programs.

We also acknowledge the generosity of the Museum’s 2010 Society members, together with the many individual donors who are keeping our excellent exhibitions and programs free and accessible to all and who support our efforts to build and diversify our permanent collection.

The Maximilian E and Marion O. Hoffman Foundation

Additional Information

Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Thursday until 8 p.m.

We are closed for national and university holidays and during inclement weather.

For GPS please use the following address:

200 Barlow Road, Fairfield, CT, 06824.

Bellarmine Hall Galleries

Free parking is available in front of Bellarmine Hall; handicap parking is available next to the service and classroom entrance on the lower level of Bellarmine Hall.

Quick Center

Free parking is available at the lot in front of the Quick Center, including handicap parking. Museum visitors may park in any available spot that is not marked reserved, handicap accessible only, or for service vehicles.

The museum is open to the public and admission is free.

Private tours with a curator are available for a fee; please contact museum@fairfield.edu or (203) 254-4046.

Take Metro-North, New Haven Line, to Fairfield Station.
Approximately 70 minutes from Grand Central Station.

www.mta.info/mnr

(800) 638-7646