Fly around your neighborhood for a while. Close your eyes and imagine yourself floating upwards into the sky. Lie down or get into a comfortable position. Take a moment to find a quiet place, either inside or outdoors.

The main character Cassie Louise Lightfoot finds personal empowerment by flying around her neighborhood and claiming ownership of the buildings around her, which are structures that represent power. Faith Ringgold, née Faith Jones, (born October 8, 1930, New York, New York, U.S.), American artist and author who became famous for innovative quilted narrations that communicate her political beliefs. They take their liberation by confronting this huge masculine icon, the bridge.” Ringgold sees the women in this series as “actually flying they are just free, totally. ©Faith Ringgold/ARS, New York, and DACS, London/Courtesy ACA Galleries, New York/National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. This book refers to her artwork, a quilt called Woman on a Bridge #1 of 5: Tar Beach. It combines painting, quilt-making, fictional narrative, and autobiography in a single art form that encourages children to soar high and follow their dreams. Faith Ringgold, American People Series 18: The Flag Is Bleeding, 1967.

All the while Ringgold continued to develop images that questioned European art and culture from an African American perspective. Tar Beach is inspired by Ringgold’s own life, recalling the time that she spent on the rooftop of her home with her family while she was growing up in Harlem. Tar Beach appeared in 1991 and launched Ringgold's career as an author of award winning children's books, based upon the stories and images of her art projects. Her work addresses her experience as a Black woman living in America. Faith Ringgold is a famous artist, teacher, and activist.

Faith ringgold tar beach art