Remembering the Legacy of Faith Ringgold: A Trailblazing Artist Who Transformed Quilts into Powerful Narratives

Faith Ringgold, pictured in her studio in New York City in 1999.

Faith Ringgold, pictured in her studio in New York City in 1999.

Faith Ringgold, the groundbreaking artist and writer famous for her storytelling quilts that blended art and activism, passed away at the age of 93. Her death, which occurred at her home in New Jersey on Saturday, was announced by the New York Times.

Dorian Bergen, President of ACA Galleries, expressed that Faith Ringgold's activism and advocacy for diversity and inclusion have made a lasting impact on the art world. Her legacy has inspired many to use their voices for social change. ACA Galleries, which represented Ringgold for almost thirty years, will continue to share her work, philosophies, and life with the world in her memory.

Faith Ringgold, born in 1930 during the Harlem Renaissance in Harlem, drew inspiration from the social realities of her time. Despite facing challenges as a student at City College of New York, where women were restricted to specific majors, including art, Ringgold's determination allowed her to negotiate a deal with a school administrator. She was able to pursue her art studies by primarily enrolling in the school of education, where women were permitted.

After completing her bachelor’s degree in fine art and education in 1955, Ringgold started teaching art in public schools and working on her own art. She later earned a master’s degree in art from City College in 1959. Her early artwork was inspired by civil and racial conflicts, carrying strong political and social messages.

Lucy Garrett/Harmonia Rosales

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Between 1963 and 1967, Ringgold depicted the tense race relations in America through a series of paintings known as “The American People Series.” The final painting in the series, “American People Series #20: Die,” serves as a powerful critique of the violent riots during the Civil Rights era. This particular painting, which is considered the most well-known in the series, vividly portrays a scene where men, women, and children are engaged in brutal attacks on each other. It is currently housed in the Museum of Modern Art's permanent collection.

"I shared with the Museum of Modern Art my fascination with how art can capture the essence of a specific time, location, and cultural background of the artist," she explained. "As an African American woman artist, I pondered on how I could represent the events unfolding in my surroundings."

Faith Ringgold is pictured during a preview for a 2013 exhibition at the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, D.C., with her 1967 painting "American People Series #20: Die" visible, in part, in the background. "I didn't want people to be able to look, and look away," Ringgold said at the preview. "I want them to look and see. I want to grab their eyes and hold them, because this is America."

During a preview for a 2013 exhibition at the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, D.C., Faith Ringgold was captured in a photo. In the background, you can see her 1967 painting "American People Series #20: Die." Ringgold expressed her intention at the preview, stating, "I didn't want people to be able to look, and look away. I want them to look and see. I want to grab their eyes and hold them, because this is America." The photo was taken by Jacquelyn Martin.

Ringgold faced challenges early in her career, with her work struggling to gain recognition. This led her to become a vocal advocate for women’s representation in mainstream art, particularly for Black women. In 1970, Ringgold was arrested for organizing the “People’s Flag Show,” a protest exhibition against the Vietnam War and in support of artists’ First Amendment rights to use the flag as artistic material.

Despite her arrest, Ringgold was not detained for long due to media attention on her case, as she shared with the New York Times.

Untethered, Twice Bold, 2023 acrylic on canvas 84 x 72 inches Courtesy the artist and Lehmann Maupin, New York, Hong Kong, Seoul, and London. Above Yesterday, Beyond Tomorrow, 2023acrylic on canvas96 x 78 x 3 inchesCourtesy the artist and Lehmann Maupin, New York, Hong Kong, Seoul, and London

The painting "Untethered, Twice Bold" created in 2023 using acrylic on canvas measures 84 x 72 inches. It is courtesy of the artist and Lehmann Maupin, with locations in New York, Hong Kong, Seoul, and London. Another piece titled "Above Yesterday, Beyond Tomorrow" also created in 2023 using acrylic on canvas measures 96 x 78 x 3 inches. It is also courtesy of the artist and Lehmann Maupin with locations in New York, Hong Kong, Seoul, and London.

Marten Elder/Courtesy the artist and Lehmann Maupin

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Around the same time, Ringgold started using new materials in her art. She tried sculpting in wood and clay, but the dust worsened her asthma. This led her to switch to more asthma-friendly materials, especially fabric. She had delved into various global artistic styles like African textiles and Tibetan tapestries called thangka. The thangka inspired her signature medium: quilts.

In 1980, Ringgold teamed up with her mother, Madame Willi Posey, a fashion designer and seamstress, to create her first quilt called “Echoes of Harlem.” Ringgold incorporated the lives of African Americans and Black women into her quilts, which she described as paintings crafted “in the medium of quilting.” Her 1986 piece, “Over 100 Pounds Weight Loss Performance Story Quilt,” humorously highlighted the conflicting social expectations faced by women. From 1990 to 1997, she produced a 12-quilt series named “The French Collection,” delving into Black feminism themes through the narrative of a young Black woman in the 1920s who moves from Harlem to Paris to pursue a career as an artist.

In recent times, various art institutions have organized retrospectives honoring Ringgold’s groundbreaking vision and extensive body of work. Ringgold expressed her gratitude for the recognition she has received in the art world, stating to the New York Times in 2019, “I am fully aware of the attention I am now getting, and grateful. But I am also aware that it has taken a very long time.”

In 2019, Ringgold's artwork was showcased at the Serpentine in London. Three years later, the New Museum in New York presented a retrospective called "Faith Ringgold: American People." The exhibition then traveled to the de Young Museum in San Francisco and the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, wrapping up in February.

Ringgold's 1997 work "The Flag is Bleeding #2," on display during a preview at Art Basel on December 4, 2019, in Miami Beach, Florida.

Ringgold's 1997 work "The Flag is Bleeding #2," on display during a preview at Art Basel on December 4, 2019, in Miami Beach, Florida.

Leila Macor/AFP/Getty Images

Ringgold was not only known for her artwork, but also for her work as a children's author. She wrote several children's books, including the award-winning “Tar Beach” and “Dinner at Aunt Connie’s,” which were inspired by her narrative quilts. These books beautifully illustrated the richness and complexity of African American life and history, aiming to inspire and empower children.

One of her most famous books, “Tar Beach,” tells the story of a young Black girl growing up in Harlem during the Great Depression. Despite its critical acclaim, the book has faced backlash for its honest portrayal of African American life and has even been targeted for removal from elementary school libraries.

Ringgold expressed in a 2022 interview with Wallpaper magazine that she hopes her art will inspire others to find the courage to pursue their passions. She believes that it takes bravery to be true to oneself and share one's unique vision with the world. Ringgold emphasized that everyone has a valuable story to share.

Editor's P/S:

Faith Ringgold's passing marks a profound loss for the art world and society as a whole. Her revolutionary quilts, combining art and activism, have left an indelible mark on American history and culture. Ringgold's unwavering dedication to inclusivity and social justice inspired countless individuals and sparked important conversations about race, gender, and equality.

As a trailblazing artist, Ringgold overcame numerous obstacles, from institutional sexism to the limitations imposed by her asthma. Her resilience and determination paved the way for future generations of artists. Her powerful artworks not only challenged societal norms but also celebrated the richness and diversity of African American experiences. Ringgold's legacy will continue to inspire and empower others to use their voices and platforms to advocate for positive change.