Guggenheim New York Announces The Reach of Faith Ringgold

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Episode Transcript

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New exhibition explores Faith Ringgold S story quilts in
dialogue with modernist and contemporary masters.
This marks the first presentation of Ringgold S Char
Beach at the Guggenheim. The Guggenheim, New York
presents the collection in focusexhibition centering one of the
most important works by the renowned artist, writer and

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activist Faith Ringgold. The Reach of Faith Ringgold will
spotlight Woman on a Bridge, oneof Five Tarr Beach 1988, the
first in a series of five monumental quilts that tells the
story of a young girl who soars from her Harlem rooftop,
celebrating her own freedom and self possession.
Looking to one key work, the exhibition explores Ringgold S

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critical position in the Canon of art history, building off the
modernists who preceded her and inspiring those who followed.
Marking the Guggenheim S 1st presentation of Woman on a
Bridge, one of five Tarbeach 1988 The Reach of Faith,
Ringgold will investigate her artistic forerunners and the
lasting impact she has had on subsequent generations of

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artists. Tarbeach will be contextualized
within the broader narrative of modern and contemporary art
through works from the Guggenheim New York S Collection
and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection.
The exhibition will include pieces by modernists such as
Mark Chagall, Jacob Lawrence, and Pablo Picasso, who preceded

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or were contemporaries of Ringgold, and contemporary
American artists such as SanfordBiggers, Shabala Las Self,
Micheline Thomas, and Carrie Mayweems, whose work reflects
her legacy. Ringgold left an indelible
imprint on the art world throughher practice and activism,
states Naomi Beckwith, deputy director and Jennifer and David

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Stockman, chief curator, and shealso activated millions of
children S imaginations through her contributions as an author.
The Guggenheim New York is utterly thrilled to center one
of Ringgold S iconic artworks, which was the subject of one of
her award-winning books in an exhibition that is sure to
delight our visitors of every age.

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Another highlight of this exhibition is a painting by
Jacob Lawrence, Tragedy and Comedy 1952, the first work by
the artist acquired by the Guggenheim and one of the
earliest modernist works by a black artist in its collection.
This exhibition marks its debut at the Guggenheim.
Ringgold is known for her distinctive artistic technique

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that blends a variety of media and styles.
Most famously, through her storyquilts, she often combines
painting, fabric, and quilting, resulting in a unique fusion of
fine art and craft. Ringgold paints her scenes onto
large, quilted canvases using bold colors, intricate patterns,

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and layered textures. The quilts themselves are not
only visually striking but are deeply symbolic, reflecting the
African American tradition of storytelling through fabric.
The process involves hand stitching and sewing, a craft
historically associated with women and often tied to cultural
heritage, which Ringgold reinvents to explore themes

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about race, identity, gender, and history.
In addition to quilting, Ringgold employs painting and
collage, incorporating text and imagery to narrate ends.
Her style draws from both folk art and modernist traditions,
bringing together abstraction with figurative elements.

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Ringgold S work is influenced byher desire to merge art with
activism, offering social commentary on issues like civil
rights, feminism, and the African American experience.
This blend of techniques allows her to create powerful visual
statements that engage viewers both emotionally and
intellectually. In the Reach of Faith Ringgold,

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visitors will have the opportunity to see the museum S
permanent collection, speaking to Ringgold as unique position
in the history of American art. This exhibition is the third
installment in a new exhibition series collection in Focus.
The series is part of a reinvigorated effort to make the
Guggenheim as world renowned holdings, more accessible to the

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public. The Reach of Faith Ringgold is
organized by Naomi Beckwith, deputy director, and Jennifer
and David Stockman, chief curator.
About Faith Ringgold B 1930 New York D 2024 Englewood, NJ earned
a bachelor S degree from City College of the City University

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of New York in 1955 and a masterS degree from City College in
1959. Her artwork resides in over 50
prominent public collections including the Metropolitan
Museum of Art, New York Museum of Modern Art, New York,
Brooklyn Museum New York, Philadelphia Museum of Art,

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Smithsonian Institute of Art, Washington, DC, Baltimore Museum
of Art High Museum of Art Atlanta, Newark Museum, Art
Institute of Chicago, and Saint Louis Art Museum.
Her achievements as an artist, teacher, author and activist
have been recognized with numerous honors, including the

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National Endowment for the Arts Awards in Sculpture and in
Painting, a John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation
Fellowship, an N Double ACP Image Award, a Caldecott Honor,
a Peace Corps Award bestowed by former President Barack Obama,
and 16 honorary doctorates. Support.

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Visionary support for Collectionin Focus is provided by
Alexandra Yanka and Andrew McCormick.
The Leadership Committee for theReach of Faith Ringgold is
gratefully acknowledged for its generosity, with special thanks
to Laura Clifford. About the Solomon R Guggenheim
Foundation The Solomon R Guggenheim Foundation was

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established in 1937 and is dedicated to promoting the
understanding and appreciation of modern and contemporary art
through exhibitions, education programs, research initiatives,
and publications. The international constellation
of museums includes the Guggenheim New York, the Peggy
Guggenheim collection, the Guggenheim Bilbago, and the

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future Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, a temple of spirit where radical
art and architecture meet. The Guggenheim New York is among
a group of eight Frank Lloyd Wright structures in the United
States designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
To learn more about the Guggenheim New York and the
Guggenheim S activities around the world, visit Guggenheim org

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at Guggenheim Reach of faith Ringgold collection in focus.