We are crushing on Faith Ringgold-Free Woman, Free Yourself

Let's celebrate freedom with activist/artist, painter, author, mixed media sculptor, and intersectional activist, best known for her narrative quilts, Faith Ringgold.

This week on ConfidenceCrush, we celebrate a rare gold whose multifaceted work challenged societal norms and inspired countless dreams.

Faith Ringgold was born in Harlem during the Great Depression, but she blossomed into a great artist through the creative expression and intellectual vibrancy of the Harlem Renaissance. Surrounded by a community rich in music, literature, and activism, she found her artistic voice and used it to tell powerful stories of resilience, identity, and justice.

Ringgold is known for her signature narrative quilts, which combine painting, storytelling, and fabric to capture the essence of Black American experiences. These works blend personal and political themes, creating a visual and textual record of history, family, and social change. Her Tar Beach quilt, which later became a beloved children's book, tells the story of a young Black girl dreaming of soaring above Harlem, embodying themes of hope, empowerment, and freedom.

Her French Collection series reimagined Black women’s presence in art history, placing them in European settings where they had been historically erased. By stitching Black women into the artistic canon, she boldly challenged the white, male-dominated narrative of Western art.

Faith Ringgold's contributions to art and activism earned her global recognition. She received over 75 awards, including the National Endowment for the Arts Award, a Guggenheim Fellowship, and the NAACP Image Award. Her work is housed in prestigious institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), the Guggenheim Museum, and the Smithsonian American Art Museum, cementing her legacy as a trailblazer in contemporary art.

In addition to her visual art, Ringgold was a prolific author. She wrote and illustrated over a dozen children's books, ensuring that young audiences saw themselves reflected in literature. Her book Tar Beach won the Coretta Scott King Award and was named a Caldecott Honor Book, further solidifying her impact on the literary world.

Ringgold never hesitated to challenge the status quo. Throughout her career, she fought for the representation of Black artists in major institutions, demanding space where they had been historically excluded. She co-founded Where We At, a collective of Black women artists advocating for inclusion in the art world. Her activism extended beyond galleries—she organized protests, led campaigns for equality, and used her art as a tool to address issues of race, gender, and class.

Beyond her art and activism, Ringgold was a dedicated educator. She earned her degrees from the City College of New York and spent years teaching in the New York City public school system. Her commitment to education and mentorship helped shape future generations of artists and storytellers.

Faith Ringgold’s life and work remind us to embrace our unique voices, challenge the status quo, and create with purpose. She is the ultimate ConfidenceCrush for anyone daring to make a difference.