Art 21 | Faith Ringgold
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Faith Ringgold is an African America artist who overcame incredible obstacles. As a child she was told she couldn’t be an artist, but was determined to succeed regardless of the absence of the representation of African American women in the art world. She became a full time artist in the 1970s, something essentially unheard of for women of color during that time. Ringgold’s work is often narrative based and uses fabric and quilting. She takes a traditional ancient material and infuses it with complex social concepts to elevate it. She began to make quilts as a means for easily transporting and shipping her work to increase her notoriety.
Ringgold sees her work as a feminist issue. Her work embodies the plight of people who experience adversity. Through her practice she finds liberation and meaning. The quilts explore narrative. One particular work, Who’s Afraid of Aunt Jemima?, depicts her as a hero due to her financial success and powerful status. Additionally, it introduces the theme of interracial marriage. It is a work that is intended to be liberating for women everywhere, particularly African American women. |
In the classroom: Ringgold’s work can be utilized to demonstrate to students that prolific artists exist beyond the western cannon of art. A potential lesson could discuss overcoming obstacles. Students could create a narrative and then work to create painted images on fabric that they would assemble to create a quilt.
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Above: The Sunflower Quilting Bee at Arles, 1995
Left: Who's Afraid of Aunt Jemima?, 1983 |
