If Betsy Were a Big Wave Rider
Alison Wright, 2012
Digitally printed cloth, foam, thread, found patches, digitally printed patches,
styrofoam and fiberglas frame
98” x 20” x 10
If Betsy Were a Big Wave Rider, an homage to American Icon Betsy Ross, was conceived as a companion piece to If Slater Bowled (an homage to surfing hero Kelly Slater.) Both “Betsy” and “Slater” raise questions of what attributes make a hero, how does society view heroes and how do heroes affect or influence our everyday lives?
American history is filled with stories of heroic men, armed and “charging” into battle, surviving or dying for a noble cause. Similarly, surfing history is filled with tales of pioneering surfers, “charging” giant waves on their “guns” (or big wave surfboards.) Betsy Ross, an American female hero, is recognized for her domestic skills and the fact that she produced one of the most recognizable flags in the world today. The seemingly complacent female activity of sewing resulted in a patriotic symbol that has rallied Americans in numerous wars and military interventions around the world. Unlike Kelly Slater, one of many men in our past or present history to be regarded as a hero, Betsy Ross is one of few women to enjoy the same distinction.
The fabric on this upholstered “gun” has been imprinted with the flags of 67 countries (below) all of which have been engaged in conflict with the U.S. since Ross developed the American Flag. The Tiki pattern is decorative art adopted by the surf community in the 50’s and most likely originated with the Maori creation legend and the war god Tumatauenga. The “gun” has been stitched with stickers of iconic American war imagery. They ultimately raise questions of their own. through photography, video and historical quotes. Wright worked with surfers, lifeguards, architects, photographers, videographers and a web designer. The website has been viewed in 79 countries including Mongolia, Macedonia and Bahrain.
If Betsy Were a Big Wave Rider
Alison Wright, 2012
Digitally printed cloth, foam, thread, found patches, digitally printed patches,
styrofoam and fiberglas frame
98” x 20” x 10
If Betsy Were a Big Wave Rider, an homage to American Icon Betsy Ross, was conceived as a companion piece to If Slater Bowled (an homage to surfing hero Kelly Slater.) Both “Betsy” and “Slater” raise questions of what attributes make a hero, how does society view heroes and how do heroes affect or influence our everyday lives?
American history is filled with stories of heroic men, armed and “charging” into battle, surviving or dying for a noble cause. Similarly, surfing history is filled with tales of pioneering surfers, “charging” giant waves on their “guns” (or big wave surfboards.) Betsy Ross, an American female hero, is recognized for her domestic skills and the fact that she produced one of the most recognizable flags in the world today. The seemingly complacent female activity of sewing resulted in a patriotic symbol that has rallied Americans in numerous wars and military interventions around the world. Unlike Kelly Slater, one of many men in our past or present history to be regarded as a hero, Betsy Ross is one of few women to enjoy the same distinction.
The fabric on this upholstered “gun” has been imprinted with the flags of 67 countries (below) all of which have been engaged in conflict with the U.S. since Ross developed the American Flag. The Tiki pattern is decorative art adopted by the surf community in the 50’s and most likely originated with the Maori creation legend and the war god Tumatauenga. The “gun” has been stitched with stickers of iconic American war imagery. They ultimately raise questions of their own. through photography, video and historical quotes. Wright worked with surfers, lifeguards, architects, photographers, videographers and a web designer. The website has been viewed in 79 countries including Mongolia, Macedonia and Bahrain.