Faith Ringgold, a multifaceted artist renowned for her exploration of race and identity through multimedia works, died on Saturday, April 13 at her home in Englewood, New Jersey. Ringgold was 93.
Born in 1930 in Harlem, New York, Ringgold was a significant figure in American art, known especially for her vibrant and intricate story quilts which depict the experiences of Black women. Her daughter confirmed her death to The New York Times.
Ringgold’s journey in the arts was profound and wide-ranging. She was a painter, sculptor, quilt-maker, and author, whose works often merged art with activism, particularly during the racial tensions of the 1960s and 1970s. She was also vocal about the inclusion of Black and female artists in elite art institutions, protesting against museums that failed to represent these groups.
Educated at City College of New York, where she earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in art during the 1950s, Ringgold was deeply influenced by the vibrant cultural life of Harlem. Notable figures such as James Baldwin and Duke Ellington were among her childhood neighbors, enriching her early exposure to the arts.
Throughout her career, Ringgold’s works were included in the collections of prestigious institutions such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; the Museum of Modern Art, New York; and the Guggenheim Museum. Her story quilts, which blend fabric, acrylic painting, and narrative storytelling, are considered pioneering in the genre. “Street Story Quilt” (1985) and “Tar Beach” (1988) are among her most acclaimed pieces. The latter was adapted into a Caldecott Award-winning children’s book, marking her successful venture into children’s literature.
Her 1967 painting, “American People Series #20: Die,” a powerful depiction of racial conflict, is part of the permanent collection at the Museum of Modern Art, a place where she had previously protested for greater inclusion of women artists.
In her own words, Ringgold once reflected on the power of art as a domain of limitless expression and opportunity, underscoring her belief in art as a vehicle for change. She shared this sentiment in a 1992 interview with the Orlando Sentinel, emphasizing that art was an area “where anyone could do that” — referring to self-expression and action.
Ringgold’s approach to art was distinctively influenced by her desire to step away from European traditions, which she felt dominated her education. She often spoke about the challenge of breaking free from such influences to forge a unique path that honored African American narratives and aesthetics.
Faith Ringgold’s legacy is not only in her diverse and impactful body of work but also in her steadfast commitment to advocacy for artists of color and women, reshaping the art world to be more inclusive.
Her works remain on display across the globe, enduring as powerful statements on race, gender, and history, and continue to inspire new generations of artists and activists.
