Despite showing outstanding bravery, survivors of units such as the Nisei and Tuskegee airmen were treated as second-class citizens when they returned home. The first victory was won in 1945, but 80 years later they are still fighting for the second.

My starting point was an iconic World War II poster portraying Tuskegee Squadron hero Major R. Diaz. Referring to the Tuskegee airmen, the poster asks Americans to “Keep Us Flying” by buying war bonds. I isolated the head of the airman from that poster and placed it in the frame to the lower left of this mixed media. I positioned him so that he looks directly towards an eagle that represents the United States. The eagle was painted by my Italian grandmother in the early 20th century.

The work is designed in colors reminiscent of clouds and the sky to emphasize the aerial connection. Between the frames I have strung a portion of a necklace that represents the glass ceiling that remains. Necklace components include aquamarine, Murano glass, and freshwater pearls.

Custom framed with museum glass in a sophisticated deep wooden frame in collaboration with Chevy Chase Art Gallery, Washington, DC.

Price: USD 2,500.

Frame color: Silver

Size (in inches): 13 x 11 x 4