FAITH RINGGOLD


​TITLE: Who's Afraid of Aunt Jemima?
ORIGINAL LOCATION:  Private Collection
BIG IDEA: Identity
MAJOR THEME: Narrative
MEDIUM: Painting / Mixed Media
VISUAL COMPONENTS: Balance, Color, Texture, Unity, Repetition
CATEGORY: Fine Arts
DESCRIPTION: ​Who’s Afraid of Aunt Jemima was the first narrative quilt Ringgold ever made. It created a narrative for the fictional character Aunt Jemima. Her work embodies the plight of people who experience adversity. The quilt makes Aunt Jemima into a feminist African America hero.  The narrative examines Aunt Jemima 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.
USE IN TEACHING: Work that examines experiences beyond the European western model have exceptional potential within the classroom, particularly for those students who do not see their race or gender represented in their chosen field, not just art.  Her work is related to an African American Women feminist artist perspective and by adding her narrative to the classroom discussion, students can understand that prolific artists exist outside the western cannon. This particular narrative explores imagery that is often used to mock African American women, but Ringgold has created a new association of power and accomplishment.  A lesson using this work as inspiration could examine personal narratives and stereotypes.  Students would reflect on how others notions about them impact their identity.
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SOURCE: http://www.faithringgold.com/ringgold/d34.htm