Artist Faith Ringgold presented the 2016 Jane Fortune Outstanding Women Visiting Artist Lecture on Nov. 30 at IUPUI. This lecture series aims to highlight prominent women who are impacting the field of art.
Ringgold is a painter, writer, speaker, performance artist and mixed media sculptor. Her children’s book Tar Beach has won more than 30 awards, including the Caldecott Medal.
Ringgold shared some information with the Indianapolis Recorder about her life as an artist and what she is working on now.
Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper: You have worked as an artist in several different mediums — literature, quilting, painting, etc. Did you ever feel pressure to focus on one thing?
Ringgold: No, I have always tried to move ahead. I can use another medium to expand. I wrote my autobiography and couldn’t get it published, so then I had to start writing more. That’s how I came to do children’s books.
How do you think being multifaceted has helped you share your vision and message?
I feel good about the fact that I can do it and that I have the opportunity to do it. One of the things that I learned in school is to not turn your back on any opportunities. If you get an offer, find a way to use it. When I got an offer to do Tar Beach, I was shocked in a way, but I thought, ‘You better come on and do it,’ and I did.
Beyond art, you’ve been an activist for women’s rights and fought for more access for artists of color. What are your thoughts on the role of both activists and artists in today’s society?
I think as an artist I had to be an activist, because there were so many places that were shutting me out as a woman and as an African-American. These fields are very often closed to people of color and women. I had to open up some things so I could get the work out there and get it seen.
Currently, we’re experiencing a new wave of Black and feminist creativity. Many young people are being exposed to art on a level they’ve never experienced. Is there anything out currently in regards to art, music, film or literature that you’re excited about?
I am trying to find out what’s going on, because everything is digital. The television has expanded to such a degree, and I am not sure what’s going on with music anymore. I am not sure what the young people are doing. I need to find out.
What projects are you currently working on?
I am working on my brain games, my art that is transformed into games. I am very much interested in doing that, because I think it is a good brain exercise for the young and old.
Visit faithringgold.com for more information.
