Reflecting on Freedom, Expression, and the Role of Art in Times of Upheaval
As the Fourth of July approaches, many of us find ourselves reflecting not only on our country’s founding ideals—but also on how deeply tested those ideals feel today. In moments of political unrest or cultural division, it can be tempting to seek clarity in simplicity. But life—and especially life in America—rarely affords us that. It’s messy. It’s contradictory. And in the face of such complexity, art becomes not only a mirror, but a lifeline.
At The Giving Tree Gallery, we believe in the power of art to help us hold both beauty and truth, even when they’re in tension. Especially when they’re in tension.
Two pieces in the gallery right now feel especially resonant.
Greg Creason’s bold mixed media painting “Triumph” features a stylized American flag, overlayed with strong, feminine symbolism. In his own words:
“‘Triumph’—for me this painting talks about strong women in America. Love it or hate it, that's the beauty of being an artist. We create by thinking outside the box. The flag has been loved by many and hated by many. These days more so than ever.”
Creason’s piece doesn’t attempt to sanitize the conversation—it embraces it. In “Triumph,” the flag is both symbol and statement: of pride, of protest, of struggle, of strength. In highlighting women’s role in America’s ongoing story, he underscores that patriotism isn’t passive. It’s dynamic. Sometimes it's dissent. And sometimes it’s reimagining what the stars and stripes mean for the next generation.
This theme echoes through Houston Llew’s Spiritile #191, “Ragged”, which quotes Johnny Cash:
“She's been through the fire and I believe she can take a whole lot more.”
It’s a Spiritile that doesn’t shy away from wear and tear. The edges aren’t polished. The flag it depicts is ragged—but still waving.
There’s a quiet power in that image. A reminder that American identity isn't a finished product. It's weathered. It’s evolving. And it is, above all, resilient.
Art like this matters—not because it gives us answers, but because it gives us space. Space to feel, to grieve, to rage, to hope. To honor what is worth keeping. To challenge what must change. And to do so in ways that words often can’t.
This Independence Day, amid fireworks and flags, we invite you to take a moment to reflect on the artists who dare to create through complexity. Who see contradiction not as something to avoid, but something to express—boldly, beautifully, and with a belief in what could be.
Let us not forget: the right to speak, to express, to create without fear—that is freedom, too.
Explore Greg Creason’s “Triumph” and Houston Llew’s “Ragged” at The Giving Tree Gallery.
Let art be your reflection point this July 4th.
