1. Faith Ringgold BEST KNOWN FOR
Faith Ringgold is an American artist and author who became famous for innovative, quilted narrations like Tar Beach that communicate her political beliefs.

2. Growing up and heading to college
Faith Ringgold was born Oct 8, 1938 in Harlem, a New York City neighborhood.
Faith had asthma as a child and used art as a major pastime.
Faith worked hard and attended City College of NYC She enjoyed school so much she began teaching in NYC Public Schools!
Growing up and heading to college

3. Travels and Life Journey Inspirations
Faith traveled to Europe to Paris, Nice, Florence and Rome!
When she returned to the USA, she was so inspired to create art she turned her dining room into her studio.
Faith married and had 2 children and said that storytelling of Black History in USA is something important to share with them.

4. Faith’s Footstep in U.S. History through Art
In 1963 she began a body of paintings called the American People series, which portrays the civil rights movement from a female perspective.
In the 1970s she created
African-style masks, painted
political posters, and actively
sought the racial integration
of the New York art world.

5. Why she creates African AMERICAN art.
Faith’s quilts had themes of race and gender and their particular relation to the art world, including art history.
She wanted her viewers to know she was an activist for social change for women and black people, particularly with regard to the American art museum system, which often omitted African-Americans and women from its exhibitions.

6. Inspiration for “story quilts”
Faith was inspired by Tibetan “tankas”: paintings framed in cloth. She saw these in museums in Amsterdam, Holland.
Her goal was to tie in narrative images and original stories of African American History.

7. Examples of Story Quilts
Sonny's Quilt 1986
Where is Sonny?
What is Sonny holding?
What is the name of this landmark Bridge? Where is a landmark bridge in MI?

8. Examples of Story Quilts
Tar Beach
What is the setting of Tar Beach?
Who are the people in the painted part of the quilt?
What are the materials used in this piece of art?

9. Examples of Story Quilts
What do you know about the Underground Railroad?
Who is the main character based on?
Where are they following Aunt Harriet?
Aunt Harriet’s Underground Railroad in the Sky, 1992

10. Examples of Story Quilts
What does the flag symbolize to you?
What is representing our 50 white stars? Why?
Why are there words on the white stripes?
Flag Story Quilt