Faith Ringgold

8 October 1930 – 13 April 2024

Faith Ringgold was an American painter, author, and mixed-media artist best known for her narrative story quilts exploring race, gender, and African American history. A prominent activist and educator, she also authored the award-winning children's book Tar Beach.

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Life events

Born in Harlem, New York City
8 October 1930

Born and raised in Harlem during the Great Depression.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Earned degrees from City College of New York
1955 – 1959

Studied art and education, receiving her bachelor's and later master's degrees.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Painted the American People Series
1963 – 1967

Created a body of politically charged paintings on race relations, including Die.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Became active in the civil rights and feminist art movements
1970

Protested the exclusion of Black and women artists from major museums.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Began making narrative story quilts
1983

Started combining painting, quilting, and storytelling in her signature medium.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Became professor of art at the University of California, San Diego
1987 – 2002

Taught art for nearly two decades until her retirement.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Created the story quilt Tar Beach
1988

Made her best-known quilt, later adapted into an award-winning children's book.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Published the children's book Tar Beach
1991

The book won the Coretta Scott King Award and a Caldecott Honor.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Died in Englewood, New Jersey
13 April 2024

Died at the age of 93.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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