Queen City, a permanent public art installation in Arlington, Virginia, confronts the 1941 seizure of Black-owned land by the federal government for the construction of the Pentagon. The sculpture takes the form of a water tower, evoking the strength and self-reliance of a community that thrived despite limited resources. Its exterior is built from 5,000 reclaimed bricks, symbolizing those made by Queen City laborers whose work helped shape national landmarks including the Library of Congress, the National Mall, and the foundation of the White House.

Inside the structure, visitors look up to see 903 ceramic vessels—each handmade by contemporary Black ceramicists, including myself, in the shape and color of water droplets. These pieces acknowledge and honor the individuals displaced from Queen City while creating a network of artists and craftspeople that metaphorically pick up the spirit of this fractured community.