Faith Ringgold is an African-American artist whose work is a powerful visual statement against rascism and sexism. Ringgold was born in New York in 1930. A talented visual artist, Ringgold began experimenting in the visual arts from a very young age, inspired to create by the musicians and artists and friends and family in her neighborhood. She received a degree in Art Education from , having been forced against from pursuing a major in Art, since it was considered a profession for men. She went on to earn a Masters Degree from City College. Many of her pieces are influenced with her experiences during the Civil Rights Movement and the Women's Rights Movement. During one of Ringgold's trips to Europe, she was inspired at the Rijksmuseum to start creating quilts, influenced by the 14th-15th century tapestry pieces edges there. Ringgold is also a painter and sculptor. She has also written ten children's books. Her book
Tar Beach was a runner-up for the Caldecott Medal in 1991. Ringgold has been an activist her whole life. She has founded many groups and brought awareness to racism and sexism, especially in the art world. Her piece
Subway Graffiti #3 is now on display at the BYU Museum of Art in the
Shaping America exhibition.