Washington, D.C.‑born mixed‑media artist Nekisha Durrett has added a new landmark to her body of work: a 24‑foot ceramic sculpture titled “Hem of Heaven” that opened to the public at the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago this June. The piece, which draws on the legacy of Harriet Tubman’s shawl and Frederick Douglass’s 1868 letter, is meant to bring hope back to communities, a theme Durrett says guided her from the start.
From D.C. Classrooms to a National Stage
Durrett’s artistic journey began in the District’s public schools, where a fifth‑grade project sparked her habit of pushing assignments beyond the brief. She recalled carving holiday designs into a candle made from milk cartons, only to have her teacher dismiss the work. Undeterred, Durrett continued to experiment, a drive encouraged by her parents, John and Georgetta, who bought her art books and emphasized that any work should stay connected to what she loved.
After graduating from the Duke Ellington School of the Arts, Durrett earned a BFA from Cooper Union in New York and a master’s in photography from the University of Michigan. She later managed the art bank program for D.C.’s Commission on the Arts & Humanities and spent a decade with the Smithsonian Institution, gaining the institutional experience that would later inform large‑scale public projects.
“Hem of Heaven” and Its Symbolism
“Hem of Heaven” was conceived as a tribute to the Underground Railroad and the Black Moses narrative. Dr. Sheryl Guthrie Lucas Giles of the National Association of Colored Women’s Clubs noted that the shawl‑like form of the sculpture represents protection from the elements, echoing the shelter provided by the Underground Railroad. The work was fabricated with a team of six ceramicists—Camille Beckles, Ricky Blanding, Rich Brown, Jun Mabuchi, Nala Turner, and V. Walton—who helped translate Durrett’s vision into a towering, blue‑black form that now greets visitors to the Center.
Durrett explained that the piece reinforces her commitment to intentionality: “It makes me even more intentional in the work that I’m making and the sites that I engage with… saying no to certain projects so that I can say yes to these projects.”
Continuing a Legacy of Community‑Focused Art
Durrett’s earlier works, such as the digital drawing “I Love You Miss Celie” at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library and the public sculpture “Queen City” in Arlington, Virginia, have consistently highlighted Black experiences and the histories often omitted from mainstream narratives. “Queen City” honors the 903 residents displaced when the federal government seized Black‑owned land to build the Pentagon, underscoring Durrett’s focus on uncovering hidden stories.
Throughout her career, mentors like Peggy Cooper Cafritz have challenged Durrett to find her own story. A residency that emphasized dialogue with writers helped Durrett realize that art is also storytelling, prompting her to weave personal and communal histories into each piece.
Looking Ahead
With “Hem of Heaven” now on display, Durrett hopes the sculpture will inspire visitors to reflect on past resistance and remain resilient today. The artist’s trajectory—from D.C. classrooms to a national cultural institution—illustrates how parental support, education, and a dedication to community narratives can shape a career that both honors heritage and looks forward.
Original reporting: The Washington Informer — read the source article.
