http://www.guggenheim.org/new-york/about/guggenheim-images/show-full/piece/?search=Faith%20Ringgold&page=1&f=Artist&cr=1
Image Info:
Tar Beach (Part I from the Woman on a Bridge series), 1988. Acrylic on canvas, bordered with printed, painted, quilted, and pieced cloth, 74 5/8 x 68 1/2 inches (189.5 x 174 cm). Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, Gift, Mr. and Mrs. Gus and Judith Lieber, 88.3620
Tar Beach, by Faith Ringgold is a fascinating piece to observe and understand the true meaning. In this photo, there is an African-American family enjoying a night under the moon above apartment style dwellers. Quilted fabric boards the portrait. There are children lying on a blanket gazing at the night stars. For colors, primary colors are mainly used-especially on the quilted border. The sky is blue using color as emotion to show the calmness of the night and to provide the viewers to understand the beauty of the night sky and family gatherings. Representational elements are used because the people and everything else looks real as if you were standing on the corner of the building.
The meaning of this work is to link childhood to the larger meaning of African-American experience and how being on top of the building makes you feel as if you were flying on top of the world. An example of this is at the top of the image, there are writings that explain a childhood memory of a child magically flying over the city. There is also an image of the child in the sky. It shows freedom and self-assurance. The artist’s great-great-great grandmother made quilts during the time of slavery so this connects between her family history and her love for art.
I’m sure this artwork helped influence perceptions because most wouldn’t understand the importance this artist has connected between herself, art and her family as well as her potential for racial change. The quote on the canvas states, “All you need is somewhere to go that you can’t get to any other way. The next thing you know, you’re flying among the stars.
Title: Faith Ringgold Tar Beach
Author: Nancy Spector
Source: Guggenheim Museum, New York.
