Created by
Myers, Christopher, American, born 1974
Date
2022
Medium
cotton and synthetic fabric appliqué with cotton duck backing
Dimensions
H x W: 107 × 392 in. (271.8 × 995.7 cm)
Caption
The Grim Work of Death is a visual journey into the life of
Nat Turner, born to enslavement in Southampton County,
Virginia. Turner was a deeply religious man who preached
the Bible and experienced prophetic visions. In 1831, he
experienced a vision during the solar eclipse that inspired
him to lead a group of enslaved individuals in a rebellion that
resulted in the deaths of scores of men, women, and children.
Turner escaped harm but was later apprehended and put to
death. Prior to his execution in November 1831, Turner
dictated to attorney Thomas R. Gray his Confessions, in which
he described the rebels’ efforts as “the grim work of death.”
In 2022, Myers commemorated Turner’s life and legacy
in this monumental tapestry that combines historical
investigation with mythological storytelling. He states, “My
work as a storyteller and as an artist centers on pulling
mythologies apart from official records. Especially for African
Americans and other marginalized folks, we must learn to read
these records for our unwritten histories, to see ourselves in
the empty spaces on the page.”
Description
A large appliqué textile work depicting Nat Turner's life and rebellion of enslaved persons in Virginia in August 1831. The work consists of a single, long, rectangular panel, handsewn with pieces of appliquéd fabrics creating colorful and curving figures and imagery against a red, floral print background. The appliqué pieces include a variety of textiles, some solid colors and some with printed or woven design patterns.
The imagery on the left depicts enslaved figures weilding farm tools, axes, picks, and hammers along with a leaping blue bull and a running white horse. Along the top, black and white figures battle each other, with their feet at the top edge and their heads towards the center. At center, a figure is presented in bands of dark brown and red stripes, wearing a band of printed blue fabric with a yellow tie at his waist. The central figure faces another figure who raises his shackled hands high above his head. At right, a pale face with tears of blood appears from the bottom amidst corn stalks. At the top right corner is a dark face whose open lips have been sewn shut with blue thread.
The appliqué front is folded to wrap around the edges and handsewn to the back lining. Made of cotton duck, the lining is machine sewn and includes self-fabric casings along the top and bottom edges, with semi-regularly spaced vertical cuts along the top casing.
Classification
Visual Arts
Textiles and Quilts
Type
textile art (visual works)
appliqué (textile visual works)
Topic
Art
Religion
Resistance
Slavery
U.S. History, 1815-1861
Violence
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2023.47
Restrictions & Rights
© Christopher Myers
Permission required for use. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5945f7a00-9457-4504-8f47-60dd56535691

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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