Darrell Lovett’s embroidered wizardry

Artist Darrell Lovett fondly remembers watching “The Wiz,” the 1970s adaptation of “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.” It was the first time he had seen a musical through the lens of an African-American cast, and that inspiration has become the foundation for his work today.

Lovett’s art show, “Soon As I Get Home,” hosted at Kin Event Space on June 30, reflects on the nostalgia of his childhood through a series of pieces from the famous novel by L. Frank Baum and the musical. Crafted over the span of two years, detailed depictions of main characters like the Tin Man, the Lion, and Evillene are brought to life through the use of embroidery on tulle.

“I didn’t start with embroidery. I started knitting because there was nothing to really do in 2020 when we had to go (on lockdown) for COVID,” Lovett says. Though his first projects were handmade infant caps, Lovett became drawn to the specific techniques used in sewing and used all available resources he had to make progress. Without the option of learning in person, he relied on the internet to hone his craft.

“I found this girl, she had a class that was teaching how to do the loops that I do in my work right now. And she was in Russia during the whole time. … I had to take the class online,” he says. 

Only after paying for the class did Lovett realize that he was just too late—by the time he had gotten access to the instruction, the time for group setting had already passed.

“Nobody was in the queue,” he said. “It was all empty. And I felt so hurt because I couldn’t really ask questions live. I had to learn everything from videos.”

His love for his work came together from a community that has largely felt out of reach for him. Lovett’s pieces reflect commitment to the techniques he’s learned primarily on his own.

Closer inspection of “The Lion,” for instance, shows intricacies of the embroidery. 

“If you look at it (from a distance), it looks like it’s brown, but there is purple, there is blue, there is gold, there is green … it’s so many different colors of thread to create this one image.” 

Likewise, “Evillene” employs a multitude of beads in different colors and sizes, to best accentuate the nature of the character. No matter the boundaries of the artwork, whether it be the size of the tulle or the weight of the final piece, Lovett’s methodical approach to bringing these characters to life comes with a level of experimentation.

“If you watch the movie, (Evillene’s) dress has so many jewels on it that I was like, ‘This will be impossible to hang if I put all of these jewels on this (tulle),’” Lovett explains. “I had to thread and make multiple loops into the dress of hers to make it look full and then sew the beads on there. …You definitely have to take the time and it’s going to get you to know yourself with it.” 

To incorporate a variety of materials in a manner that is entirely handmade speaks to the lasting impression these characters have had on Lovett.

For the 33-year-old Rochester native, much of his journey parallels that of Dorothy’s. 

“I gravitated towards that movie so well because it reminds me of starting at home and not being able to step out or go out. … You’ve never left your place that you’re so rooted in, that you’re so scared to go out and just experience these different things,” he observes.

From relying on the internet to guide his learning during the pandemic, to finding a collective of artists through the Rochester Artist Collaborative, Lovett’s willingness to express himself through various techniques showcases his artistic passion.

“With the whole thing of seeing ‘The Wiz’ and just being inspired by the community, I think my community gives me that,” he says. “And I love them dearly to the stars and back.”

Narm Nathan is a Rochester Beacon intern, a senior at the University of Rochester and a member of the Beacon Oasis Project’s inaugural cohort. The Beacon welcomes comments and letters from readers who adhere to our comment policy including use of their full, real name. Submissions to the Letters page should be sent to [email protected].