ringgold and saar

The Presence of a natural force-art and persona

BY CURLEE RAVEN HOLTON

RINGGOLD SAAR: Meeting on the Matrix is an exhibition that brings two major Black women artists together in a powerful, visual, and politically-charged dialogue. Focused on the way in which each artist uniquely utilizes the matrix—highlighting the exploration and engagement between the physical surfaces used in the printmaking process of transference—RINGGOLD SAAR showcases the possibilities of experimentation, storytelling, and activism. Faith Ringgold and Betye Saar hold long and distinguished careers that delve into the reframing of the political, domestic, cultural and artistic experiences of African Americans. Their work implores viewers to reconsider what it has meant to be an American, while also reckoning with the contradictions and negative stereotypes embedded in America’s history of racism, segregation, and discrimination.

I have had the distinct privilege of working and collaborating with Faith Ringgold directly for over twentyfive years. I first met Faith in 1993. She was a visiting lecturer at Lafayette College, where I was an assistant professor of art at the time. During her visit to my classroom, had prepared an etching plate for her in the hope that she would respond favorably. I placed the plate in front of her, while she spoke with my students. She proceeded to draw her iconic image of Cassie flying up over the George Washington Bridge. The etching, titled Anyone Can Fly (1997), was the first of more than forty prints and portfolios that we would create together. In 1996, began the Experimental Printmaking Institute (EPI), a visiting artist program at Lafayette College in Easton, PA, with the explicit mission to explore and to expand a shared, creative spirit between artist and printmaker. The EPI aims to provide an environment in which professional artists and students can create work as well as investigate new (and often experimental) approaches to the print medium. Faith personified this mission by collaboratively engaging the various printmaking mediums along with students.

Faith and I have continued to work together as part of my private workshop, Raven Fine Art Editions, with another three editions this year alone. Although we have produced many notable editions of prints together, perhaps one project that best personifies her artistic, cultural, and political commitment to reveal the truth of the contradictions of the American Dream is the portfolio Declaration of Freedom and Independence (2009).

Inspired by The Declaration of Independence –a document that is one of the most significant in American history that is a clarion call for freedom from oppression and a pledge to fight for freedom –the portfolio captures not only images of critical moments in the evolution of the American Dream, but it presents the contradictions as well.

Faith and are both honored that this body of work is central to this exhibition and is receiving attention from artists, scholars, students, and the wider community. can think of no other artist who possesses the personal integrity, artistic genius and cultural knowledge required to articulate a truer meaning of this document at such a critically important time in American History.

Curlee Raven Holton Artist, Printmaker, Collaborator