Title Page

Faith Ringgold

“I became an artist for the same reason I became a

writer: I wanted to tell my story.”

Faith Ringgold

• Born on October 8, 1930

• She was born in Harlem.

• She the taught art in NYC public schools.

Faith Ringgold, began her artistic career more than 35 years ago as a

painter.

Some of her first paintings look like masks.

Do you have any ideas about the meaning of this painting?

The Black Light Series: Love Black Life 1969 Oil on canvas

Sometimes Faith painted relationships in her family.

The Black Light Series: The American Spectrum 1969, Oil on

Her 1st book was called “Tar Beach” and was awarded for its illustrations.

Tar Beach 1988, Acrylic on canvas, tie-dyed,

pieced fabric border

Here are a few more of my

favorite books by Faith.

Today, she is best known for her painted story quilts -- art that

combines painting, quilted fabric and storytelling.

• This quilt was made in 1985

Mother 's Quilt 1983, Acrylic on canvas,

dyed, painted and pieced

fabric

The Dinner Quilt, 1986, Acrylic on canvas, fabric border

What is happening in this picture story?

Church Picnic 1988

Acrylic on canvas,

fabric border

Do you think these

girl’s are really

jumping rope on

the bridge?

This is a quilt of Faith with some of the people she

admires.

Who’s

Bad?

These are the buildings where Faith grew up.

Faith Ringgold, her mother Willa Posey and Faith's two daughters Michele and Barbara took their first trip to Europe in 1961, to tour the famous art museums.

Faith wrote, " somehow I felt that being in Europe--where Picasso, Matisse, Monet and other great painters had lived--would lead me to the answer"

The the question was whether she could be an artist or not.

The Sunflower Quilting Bee at

Arles 1991

Acrylic on canvas, tie-dyed, pieced fabric border

Look carefully at the quilt.Can you find Vincent Van Gogh?

Faith Ringgold's art sends a messages about things that are important to African-American women.

Her images are enjoyable to many people because of her use of bright-colored images in quilts and dolls.

Le Cafe des Artistes 1994, Acrylic on canvas, tie-dyed, pieced fabric

border

Wanted: Douglas,

Tubman and Truth 1997

Acrylic on canvas;

painted and pieced border

Sonny's Quilt 1986

Acrylic on canvas with

pieced fabric

border

Dancing at the Louvre

1991, Acrylic on canvas, tie-dyed,

pieced fabric border

Bessie's Blues 1997

Acrylic on canvas;

painted and pieced border

Coming to Jones Road #1 1999, Acrylic on canvas with pieced border

Ringgold started her first mature work in 1963, the American People

Series.

Ringgold said, "the idea was to make a statement in my art about the Civil

Rights Movement and what was happening to Black people in

America at the time.”

The American

People Series #2:

For Members Only 1963

• The American People Series #6: Mr. Charlie, 1964.

• The American People Series #7: Cocktail Party 1964 Oil on canvas 42 x 24"

Which party looks more fun to you?

The American

People Series #8:

The In Crowd

1964, Oil on canvas

Click Here to Listen to a Song Faith Wrote About Cassie From Tar Beach.