Mandeville Art Gallery Presents Faith Ringgold: Full Circle – The Teachings and Her Legacy

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• Erika Johnson- [email protected]

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• Mandeville Art Gallery
• Exhibition
• ArtsConnect

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A free opening celebration from 6-8 p.m. on Feb. 28 will mark the premiere of "Full Circle - The Teachings and Her Legacy" at Mandeville Art Gallery. The exhibition traces the life and career of Faith Ringgold, recognized as a profound storyteller who centered Black women's experiences and elevated quilting as a fine art practice. The works are presented as a coming-of-age story framed by her tenure as a visual arts professor at the University of California San Diego. It will remain on view through May 2.

The show is curated by Mashonda Tifrere, an international curator, collector, author and advocate. The project holds special meaning. "I have followed Faith's work since my adolescence, growing up on the same Harlem streets she did," said Tifrere. "Her advocacy for women artists and her relentless fight for their rights have always inspired me. This aligns closely with the mission of my platform, ArtLeadHer."

As a faculty member in UC San Diego's Department of Visual Arts between 1984 and 2002, Ringgold's instruction emphasized textiles along with writing, mixed media and socially engaged practice - an approach that would become a cornerstone of the department's identity. She was also an influential voice in advocating for the inclusion of art history and media studies among majors offered by the department.

Spanning nearly five decades of artistic production, the exhibition traces Ringgold's evolution as a multidisciplinary artist across painting, textile art and narrative assemblage. Emerging during the Black Arts Movement that began in 1965, her work introduced Black women's pictorial, narrative and craft traditions in an art scene initially dominated by abstraction and minimalism.

Her work boldly weaved autobiography, social commentary and a deep reverence for her ancestors. "Ringgold is a pivotal figure in ensuring that not only Black women artists have a platform, but that all women in art have a voice and the opportunity to display their work in prominent spaces," said Tifrere. "Her contributions have significantly shaped visual culture in the U.S. through her fearless leadership, dedication to education and unwavering belief in creating artwork that speaks truth to power."

Ringgold is best known for her story quilts. She created her first one in 1983, collaborating with her mother, a fashion designer who taught her how to sew. Ringgold reshaped the medium, merging craft art with narrative storytelling to convey deeper messages about identity and culture. One of her most celebrated works, "Tar Beach," is now in the collection of the Guggenheim Museum.

"Her story quilts not only showcased her artistic talent but also served as a powerful medium for activism and social critique," explains Tifrere. "Frustrated by the challenges of publishing her stories, Faith decided to write them on her quilts, allowing her to share her narratives in a unique and meaningful way."

The exhibition features 19 of Ringgold's works produced between 1976 and 2023. Visitors will discover paintings, textile art and narrative assemblage that reflect the recurring themes in Ringgold's practice, from the reclamation of historical narrative to prioritize Black perspectives and elevate quilting as a fine art practice.

Designed to appeal to all audiences, the gallery will feature a section dedicated to the children's books Ringgold wrote and illustrated - more than 20 in her lifetime. Quotes from her works will be projected onto the wall, with miniature stools and a selection of books for children to explore while visiting.

"I had a clear narrative in mind for Faith - a story of coming of age," shares Tifrere. "From her early pieces capturing her childhood on the Harlem rooftop to her experiences witnessing the Black Panther movement and her personal journey of transformation, I aimed to convey a holistic view of Faith. I want people to leave this exhibition understanding her not only as an artist but also as a woman, a mother and a profound storyteller."

Tifrere has contributed in other ways to UC San Diego's growing arts ecosystem. In 2025, she wrote and recorded a mindfulness-focused audio tour of the renowned Stuart Collection. "Inscape: Art and Mindfulness at the Stuart Collection" presents listeners with wellness-based experiences at all works within the collection of 22 site-specific pieces throughout the UC San Diego campus. The exhibitions at Mandeville Art Gallery, along with public art across campus, are part of the university's ArtsConnect - a pathway to study art, attend an event or express your creativity.

Mandeville Art Gallery, which was established 60 years ago, has been a longstanding fixture at UC San Diego as an experimental institute for transformative contemporary art. Led by the Department of Visual Arts in the School of Arts and Humanities, it also provides professional training for students who wish to pursue a career within the field of contemporary art. Learn more about Mandeville Art Gallery and upcoming exhibitions.