Unless you live in CA (probably would have to be So CA), or you are an art historian, or you were paying really close attention to all players during the civil rights movement of the 60's, you probably don't know Faith Ringgold by name. Here is one of her most famous works of art (look closely):
She also writes children's books!
As the passion of the 60's waned, Ringgold's work moved into relative obscurity. One of her paintings was even white-washed -- not out of displeasure, but indifference.
Now she has been rediscovered. After reading about her, I trotted over to the Neuberger Museum at Purchase College (one of the 64 SUNY campuses!) to see some of her work and hear some commentary.
The entire event was mostly fascinating, but, sadly, turned soporific when an assistant professor of art history (bucking for tenure?) began comparing some the elements of Ringgold's work to that of Picasso's.
On the other hand, I loved the story of the original unveiling of this painting:
Apparently a patron got off the elevator and came face to face with this piece, whereupon she spun around and got back in the elevator. What was her problem, I wonder.
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