Artist and educator Faith Ringgold (American, October 8, 1930–April 13, 2024), born in Harlem, New York, is widely known for her paintings, mixed media sculptures, and narrative quilts. Ringgold’s artwork is celebrated for its visually rich storytelling, incisive cultural critique, and innovative blend of techniques and materials, which propelled her art-world ascent and acquisition into major museum collections. A lifelong educator, Ringgold worked in New York City’s public school system for decades, teaching art to children while cultivating her own creative practice.
Faith Ringgold: Seeing Children is the most comprehensive exhibition to date of the artist’s original children’s books. The richly saturated images and imaginative storytelling in Ringgold’s narratives offer important windows into her creative practice and the American story. Across three thematic sections—American Histories, Stories We Tell, and Seeing Children—this exhibition considers the role of children in American society, centering Black cultural history and identity through Ringgold’s protagonists. Designed for all ages, the exhibition explores the capacity of adults to see the imaginative power of children, highlights children’s ability to see themselves and engage with the context of their environment, and asks us all to consider how we can create a more empathetic and hopeful world.
This is the eleventh edition of the High’s popular exhibition series celebrating the art and authors of children’s books.
