Ringgold, Faith (1934–)

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Ringgold, Faith (1934–)

African-American painter and sculptor. Born 1934 in Harlem, NY; m. Robert Wallace, 1950 (div. 1954); City College of New York, MA; m. Burdelle Ringgold, 1962.

Became full-time artist; lectured and taught throughout US; works, which address social and political themes, include murals, such as Die (1967), The Flag is Bleeding (1967) and Postage to Commemorate the Advent of Black Power, as well as sculptures, masks and the story quilt, Who's Afraid of Aunt Jemima? (1983); was professor of art at University of California, San Diego; also wrote and illustrated children's books, receiving Caldecott Honor Award for Tar Beach and Jane Addams Award for Aunt Harriet's Underground Railroad in the Sky.

See also memoir, We Flew Over the Bridge (1995).