Faith Ringgold

Faith Ringgold grew up in the cultural whirlwind of Harlem, born in 1930 and cradled by the stories of the Harlem Renaissance. Even as a young girl, she soaked up these oral traditions and learned quilting from her mother— skills passed down through generations of African American women. Over time, these roots became the foundation for her iconic ‘story quilts,’ merging fabric, painting, and lived experience into one vibrant tapestry.

Her early paintings, especially the ‘American People’ and ‘Black Light’ series of the 1960s, confronted civil rights head-on. From scenes of racial tension to bright, luminous portraits centering Black identity, Ringgold put a mirror to America’s social climate. She also made waves as an activist—co-founding groups such as ‘Where We At’ and WSABAL (Women Students and Artists for Black Liberation), championing the representation of Black women artists in galleries and museums that had ignored them for far too long.

By the 1980s, Ringgold was weaving entire histories into her quilts. ‘Who’s Afraid of Aunt Jemima?’ reclaimed a hurtful stereotype, transforming it into a tale of resilience and entrepreneurship. ‘Tar Beach’ soared as both a patchwork masterpiece and a beloved children’s book—inviting readers to imagine themselves flying over the George Washington Bridge, free from any barriers that might hold them down.

Ringgold’s impact stretches far beyond gallery walls. She was arrested in 1970 for protesting racial injustice in the art world, championed feminist causes, and taught as a professor at UC San Diego, always working to expand opportunities for Black and women artists. Through the Anyone Can Fly Foundation, she further opened the door for young people to celebrate African American art and heritage. Today, her story quilts remain a living record of courage, creativity, and the unwavering power of a community’s collective voice.