The Hampton University Museum in Virginia has received the donation of the Elizabeth Catlett sculpture “Black Flag” from Dr. Evelyn Craig Ireland Hurd of Virginia Beach. Dr. Hurd is a retired psychologist and mental health services administrator.
The sculpture was carved from Spanish cedar in 1970. Catlett is considered one of the most notable African American artists of the 20th century. She was a graduate of Howard University and earned a master of fine arts degree from the University of Iowa. In 1947 she married Mexican artist Francisco Mora and the couple made their home in Mexico. Catlett later became a Mexican citizen. She taught sculpture at the National Autonomous University of Mexico until her retirement in 1975. Catlett died in 2012 at the age of 96.
The Hampton University Museum holds the largest collections of works by Catlett of any museum in the world.
