The Hem of Heaven
By Nekisha Durrett
About
The artwork
Made from thousands of handmade ceramic tiles, The Hem of Heaven draws inspiration from a shawl worn by Harriet Tubman. Artist Nekisha Durrett worked with a community of artists and organizations to create the sculpture, with each participant contributing tiles inspired by the colors of the night sky. By bringing many individual pieces together into a single form, the sculpture reflects the shared effort, mutual support, and collective action that have shaped movements for freedom throughout history.
Location: Forum | Harriet Tubman Courtyard
The artist
Nekisha Durrett is an artist whose work draws on histories embedded in objects, language, and place. Her practice spans sculpture, installation, painting, and social practice, often bringing attention to stories that have been overlooked or omitted. Durrett studied at The Cooper Union and the University of Michigan.
The artist wishes to acknowledge ceramicists Camille Beckles, Ricky Blanding, Rich Brown, Jun Mabuchi, Nala Turner, and V Walton, and organizations For Freedoms, FreeDC, Harriet’s Wildest Dreams, GW Corcoran Ceramic Studio, National Gallery of Art, and the Carl M. Freeman Foundation.
