The High Museum of Art is currently showcasing an exhibition titled “Faith Ringgold: Seeing Children,” which pays tribute to the late multimedia artist and activist Faith Ringgold.
Known for her diverse range of artistic expressions—including paintings, sculptures, mixed media works, and performances—Ringgold is perhaps most celebrated for her narrative story quilts.
However, many may be unaware that she was also an award-winning author and illustrator of children’s books, and the exhibit highlights over 100 drawings and paintings from more than a dozen of her beloved published works.
Ringgold, who passed away last year at the age of 93, devoted her career to exploring themes that resonate deeply with audiences, such as family, race, class, and gender.
As a lifelong educator, Ringgold employed her art as a medium for storytelling, using vibrant colors and empowering narratives to discuss serious topics with children.
Her belief was that children could engage with complex issues such as racism through a unique blend of fantasy and realism, offering a hopeful perspective on social challenges.
Among the pages featured in the exhibition are her explorations of Civil Rights figures in “If a Bus Could Talk: The Story of Rosa Parks” (1999) and the history of immigration in America in “We Came to America” (2016).
The exhibition also captures the essence of childlike wonder in “Tar Beach” (1991), which narrates the story of Cassie, a young Black girl living in Harlem during the 1930s, who imagines that she can soar to her dreams from the rooftop of her apartment.
The High Museum’s exhibition is part of a broader initiative to celebrate children’s literature and picture book authors, featuring engaging interactive elements designed to captivate both children and adults.
The exhibit includes tactile tufted benches, oversized flowers, and vintage rotary phones that play audio recordings of children reading highlighted books.
Additionally, there is an immersive replica of Cassie’s Harlem rooftop, complete with a video projection of Ringgold reading aloud against a night sky backdrop.
Andrew Westover, the High Museum of Art’s Eleanor McDonald Storza deputy director for learning and civic engagement, emphasized the importance of showcasing Ringgold’s children’s book works alongside her renowned story quilts.
He stated, “For folks who know her in that vein, this can be really revelatory to see that the ideas she wrestled with are also presented in a way that anyone can engage with.”
Westover further explained that Ringgold’s background as an educator gave her a unique understanding of what children can comprehend developmentally, allowing her to tackle complex topics in a manner that remains approachable and insightful.
In this exhibition, Ringgold’s works on paper convey significant historical narratives through methods that resonate with children, making them both “incredible and particularly relevant,” according to Westover.
“Faith Ringgold: Seeing Children” will be on display at the High Museum of Art until October 12.
An Exhibition Tour is scheduled for August 9, from 11 a.m. to noon, offering a chance for visitors to delve deeper into this insightful collection.
image source from：artsatl
