| Title | Allegiance |
| Subtitle | Postcard from America |
| Artist / Creator | Laura Russell |
| Press Name | Laura Russell |
| Artist's Nationality | United States |
| Place of Publication | Tucson AZ |
| Publication Date | 2025 |
| Author of Text | Laura Russell |
| Process / Technique | Archival Digital Prints |
| Number of Images | 30 original photographs |
| Structure / Binding | Case-style cover. Interior contains four accordion booklets on right panel, plus a 16 page perfect bound booklet on right. All interior pieces can be detached from cover or displayed in various arrangements. |
| Medium / Materials | Cover: Iris book cloth cover |
| Paper Stock | Interior booklets: Mohawk Superfine, Canson Mi Tientes |
| Number of Pages | Each of four accordions has seven pages, printed two sides. Booklet has 12 pages plus cover. |
| Dimensions (WxHxD) | 6.375 x 17 x 0.5 inches. Opens to 49 inches. |
| Edition Size | Limited edition of 7 |
| Signed & Numbered | Signed and numbered edition |
Allegiance by Laura Russell
Allegiance is a limited-edition photographic artist book celebrating the American Flag—a living symbol of freedom, opportunity, and equality. Unfortunately, it has also become an logo co-opted by one political party. Once revered, the Flag is now shamelessly shilled by a personality cult. As we contemplate the state of America 250 years after its founding, it is time to re-claim the flag as a proud symbol for ALL Americans. Consider this book a travelogue exploring the state of our Flag.
Allegiance features four independent accordion "chapters," each unfurling to reveal photographs of the stars and stripes displayed in both reverent and irreverent ways. From patriotic to fervent ideological visual proclamations, these images create a "Postcards from America" road trip, with locations spanning from Detroit to Portland, the Ozarks to the Mojave Desert, and many points in between. The photographs, collected over the past 18 years document our social and political culture in four broad themes, Home (displays of pride at home), Bigger (mammoth displays), Resistance (uses of the Flag in protests) and Dandy (as in Yankee Doodle).
On the back of each photo is a postcard, seemingly ready to tear out and mail to friends and family. The left-side text of the postcards contains one of four narratives: The History of the American Flag, Proper Flag Display Guidelines, and the stories behind the Star-Spangled Banner and the Pledge of Allegiance.
A stitched booklet serves as a travel journal, tying the whole project together with the stories behind the photos. It includes personal reminiscences, vexillological research, rituals, myths and lore, and unwavering sentimentality.
Allegiance was originally intended to be politically agnostic, focusing on symbology rather than ideology. The goal was to encourage viewers to interpret the images through their own red- or blue- colored lens, hopefully spurring thought-provoking discussions. But, in today's fervent political climate, it seems we all need a reminder to celebrate the flag—and perhaps each other—with respect, reverence, and pride.
Artist Bio
Laura Russell is a photographer and book artist who creates hand-bound, limited-edition artist books that incorporate photographs of our urban landscape and tell a story about our culture and our communities. Laura participates regularly local, national and international exhibitions. Her artist books are collected by individual collectors, museums, libraries and corporations. Collectors include the Museum of Modern Art, Bainbridge Island Museum of Art, Baylor University, University of Washington, University of Puget Sound, SFMOMA and the Hyundai Museum of Kid's Books & Art in South Korea. Her book history plus exhibitions and collections can be seen at laurarussell.com. Laura is also the founder of 23 Sandy Gallery, a book art-focused art gallery in Portland, 2007-2020, which is now owned and operated by Erin Mickelson in Santa Fe. Laura currently resides in Tucson, Arizona.