Charles Parriott
American, b. 1952
Flowered Soldier Emerald, 1992
Painted mold-blown glass
Charles Parriott uses glass to explore different aspects of human nature: what we do, why we do it, how we ornament ourselves and why. From a series of works titled Flowered Soldiers spanning twenty years, this portrait bust of an anonymous soldier is decorated with enamel gold leaves and white lilies, a flower typically associated with grief and funerals. The decoration also conjures associations with the anti-war movement of the 1960s and 1970s and its slogan, “Flower Power”, that emphasized peace, love, and beauty in opposition to war and violence.
Gift of Lisa Jan Rose and Kenneth L. Koenig, MD and Sara Jane Rose and Jay Shanker, 2021
Visual Description: This is a glass portrait bust of a soldier. The soldier has no discernible facial features and wears a combat helmet. The sculpture is emerald green with white lilies and gold leaves decorating its entire surface.
