Artists to Know: Faith Ringgold

Is it possible to shake up the art world with a handmade quilt?

Faith Ringgold (1930-2024) was an incredible artist born durin the Great Depression and raised in Harlem and during her long career she became known as the originator of a new genre of art: the story quilt. As a black female artist creating during the 1950s and 60s, she not only was involved with the push during the 1960s to bring artists of color into the top American museums and galleries but also to fight for a place for women artists who were left behind when black artists were finally invited into display their work.

Faith Ringgold, who died on April 12, 2024 at 96 years old, was not only a gifted quilt artist, but also a writer, painter, speaker, mixed media sculptor and performance artist who changed how people saw the experience of American life from a female and a black perspective. I love her work and legacy. Her work can be found here: https://www.faithringgold.com