April 15th 2024.
The world of art has lost a true visionary with the passing of Faith Ringgold at the age of 93. On April 13, she peacefully passed away at her home in New Jersey, leaving behind a legacy of thought-provoking and impactful works that explored the intricacies of Black American life. Through her use of various mediums such as quilts, paintings, sculptures, masks, dolls, textiles, and performance art, Ringgold delved into themes of race, gender, class, family, and community.
According to her daughter, Barbara Wallace, Ringgold's death was confirmed by the New York Times. She was classically trained in painting and sculpting, and her career began with politically charged pieces that examined the complex dynamics of race and gender relations in America during the 1960s and '70s.
One of Ringgold's most beloved works is her "story quilt" titled "Tar Beach," completed in 1988. This piece inspired her to create a children's book of the same name, which was published in 1991. The book tells the story of a Black family enjoying a picnic and sleeping on the roof of their Harlem apartment on a hot summer night. It became a Caldecott Honor Book and received the Coretta Scott King Award for its authentic portrayal of Black American life for children and teenagers.
Ringgold's early art was heavily influenced by James Baldwin, Amiri Baraka, African art, and the music of Duke Ellington, which she listened to as a child. She was also a vocal activist, participating in protests at the Whitney Museum of American Art in 1968 and the Museum of Modern Art in 1970, advocating for the inclusion of Black and women artists.
In 1980, Ringgold collaborated with her mother on her first full-sized quilt, titled "Echoes of Harlem." She saw quilts as a significant art form for Black people in America, developed as a means of creative expression after African slaves were stripped of their religious practices. Over the next four decades, Ringgold's works gained recognition and were acquired by private collectors, including Maya Angelou and Oprah Winfrey. They also found their way into prominent museums and public spaces.
In 2022, the New Museum in Manhattan held a retrospective of Ringgold's work, filling three floors. Critic Holland Cotter of the New York Times believed that this exhibition marked a full-circle moment for the artist, as her work, which was once considered unconventional, is now celebrated and recognized.
Ringgold is survived by her daughters, Barbara and Michelle Wallace, a prominent feminist writer and cultural critic, as well as three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Her husband, Burdette Ringgold, passed away in 2020. Faith Ringgold's impact on the art world and her legacy will continue to inspire and challenge us for years to come.
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