The Exhibition
The display of art works on show, is a small selection from the series titled ‘American People’ by African Faith Ringglod. A multi-disciplinary artist working across a fusion of medium to make work. The images on show highlight a figurative style of painting and use of textiles, to explore the American experience, beginning from the Harlem Renaissance. Her interest are many, gaining inspiration from the Civil Rights Movement, her works amplify the struggles for social justice and equal rights.
Her mother’s lessons in needle-work, offered the skills to make works in textile craft integrated with fine art. West African Textiles is a highlighted feature within her art. The exhibition focus close-up on specific areas in a number of images. Click on the images for a full-scale slideshow format.
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The Artist
Born in New York 1930, Faith Ringgold was raised in the Harlem district. At a young age her mother taught her needlework, took her to museums, and trips to Europe. Faith explained, If I had to cite one artist who inspired me the most, I would name Picasso.” She attended City College of New York from 1955 to 1959, and received her bachelor and Master degrees from the institution. Her works tell powerful, compelling stories about American Life, from the mind and creativity, of the African American female experiences. Her works are shown in galleries and museum around the world. Faith is a recipient of over 100 awards. She was a Professor Emeritus of art, at the University of California in San Diego, and has received 23 honorary doctorates. Author of 20 children’s books, and deeply inspired by African art, after travelling to Nigeria and Ghana, West Africa in the 1970s. Faith remained with it throughout her long career in Fine Arts. www.newmuseum.org.
