"I'm Telling My Story": Celebrating the Legacy of Faith Ringgold
Faith Ringgold was a powerful artistic voice. Known for her "story quilts;" she combined painting and quilt-making to convey poignant narratives about race, gender, and American history. Her work is a vibrant tapestry of personal and political storytelling.
She passed on April 13, 2024 at 93 years old, just days after I was introduced to her work by a dear friend and right after I launched Baby Yams. This Black History Month, I’d like to share some of what I’ve learned about her incredible life, her impactful work, and the indelible mark she left on the world. I encourage you to get to know her work and legacy for yourself. She had so much to say.
Born on October 8, 1930, in Harlem, New York, Faith Ringgold decided to become an artist during her time as a student at City College of New York. Though a degree in the arts was not available to women at the time, Ringgold was undeterred. She majored in art with a minor in education with the goal of becoming an art teacher.
Her life's work often drew from both personal and collective memory, merging the two to create art that was deeply resonant and impactful. She travelled the world, creating and exhibiting her paintings, sculptures, performances and masks. She was an innovator, drawing reference and inspiration from African aesthetics like Kuba and mask making and working with mixed media to combining both craft making and fine art.
Here’s one quote of hers that I love. For anyone pursuing the arts and anything else that is an uphill, unshakeable passion, it is the TRUTH:
“I had something to say and sometimes the message is an easy transmission and sometimes it’s a difficult one- but I love the power of saying it, so I’m going to do it, whether it’s hard or easy.”
Ringgold’s artistic process was as unique and layered as the stories she told. She had a deep knowledge of fabrics and she often enhanced them by adding patterns with her paint brush. She painted patterns, scenes and people. Her quilts sometimes incorporated text. Her works are layered with narrative and memory.
Faith Ringgold’s influence cannot be overstated. Her work has been featured in prestigious institutions, including the Guggenheim Museum, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), and the Studio Museum in Harlem. Ringgold opened doors for other artists, particularly women and artists of color, to share their voices.
The quilt below makes me feel the humid summer NY nights of my own childhood. I hope to see it in person one day.
Woman On A Bridge #1 of 5: Tar Beach
© 2023 Faith Ringgold / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York, Courtesy ACA Galleries, New York
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York Gift, Mr. and Mrs. Gus and Judith Leiber, 1988