The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture presently has on view a larger-than-life, vibrant depiction of Nat Turner’s slave rebellion by artist Christopher Myers.
The tapestry, titled “The Grim Work of Death” is a monumental artwork and visual journey containing 32 feet worth of history and mythology surrounding Turner’s slave rebellion. An important addition to the museum, the tapestry can be found on the museum’s Concourse Level.
“Art has a way of bringing history to life in riveting ways,” said Kevin Young, the Andrew W. Mellon Director of the museum. “’The Grim Work of Death,’ a tapestry by Christopher Myers, is stunning in its power to create a visual journey into the complex life of Nat Turner.”
Turner was an enslaved man who believed that he was called by God to deliver his people from slavery. Through preaching, Turner empowered fellow enslaved African Americans to revolt, and Turner’s Rebellion officially began on Aug. 21, 1831.
The rebellion resulted in the deaths of more than 50 people in Southampton County, Virginia, before a militia force stopped it. Afterward, Turner remained free for six weeks before he was caught by authorities and sentenced to be hanged.
Turner’s rebellion is one of the most successful uprisings against slavery in the United States. It inspired a chain reaction of similar revolts throughout the region.
Myers, a contemporary artist from Brooklyn, New York, took the name of the artwork from Turner’s own description of his and his compatriots’ efforts.
“Turner’s life is indicative of the crossroads and intersections all of us inhabit. … I offer this portrait of a man caught in the whirlwind of history, in a confluence of ideas and concepts, as are we all,” Myers said.
In 2022, Myers commemorated Turner’s life and legacy by creating this tapestry, which combines historical investigation with mythological storytelling. The tapestry is composed of a multitude of colorful fabrics, many of which are hand-sewn. In his bold, complex style, Myers stitches together various aspects of the rebellion’s narrative.
This new work joins NMAAHC’s vast collection of culturally engaging objects. It enhances ongoing efforts to reimagine African American history and freedom, as currently seen in its permanent exhibitions and the museum’s “Reckoning” exhibition.
For more information about this artwork, go to the Searchable Museum.