Plate from Letter from Birmingham City Jail

2007

Faith Ringgold, author Martin Luther King Jr., printer Curlee Raven Holten

Associated Names
Faith Ringgold

Artist, American, 1930 - 2024

Curlee Raven Holton

Printer, American, born 1951

This is a painting of an amusement park named "Fun Town." It features a giant roller coaster in the background. In the foreground, there is a gate with signs stating "Fun Town is closed to colored children" and "WHITES ONLY." On one side of the gate, two children are looking in, while brightly colored figures enjoy the park on the other side. American flags are above the gate. The scene creates a contrast between exclusivity and enjoyment, accentuated by a stylized, almost cartoon-like style. The painting is inspired by the work of artist Faith Ringgold, known for her use of bold colors and strong outlines to convey messages of social justice.
This object’s media is not available for download. Contact us about image usage.

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    screenprint from an illustrated book with eight screenprints

  • Credit Line

    Gift of Ruth Fine in honor of Michele Wallace

  • Dimensions

    overall (closed): 39.8 × 33.2 × 4.9 cm (15 11/16 × 13 1/16 × 1 15/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2021.80.27.3

Associated Artworks

See all 8 artworks

Frontispiece from Letter from Birmingham City Jail

Faith Ringgold, Martin Luther King Jr., Limited Editions Club, Curlee Raven Holton

2007

This is a photograph of a book cover. The cover is a red fabric with a rectangular black label in the center, bordered by a gold line, where the title "Letter from Birmingham City Jail" is printed in gold lettering.

Letter from Birmingham City Jail

Faith Ringgold, Martin Luther King Jr., Limited Editions Club, Curlee Raven Holton

2007

This is a painting featuring a scene with a church and hooded figures. The artwork shows four figures in white with extended arms, floating in a blue sky. Below them is a depiction of a church with a domed roof, next to four hooded figures in white with blank expressions against a dark background. The painting includes a white cross with the words "16th Street Baptist Church" in the foreground. The style is reminiscent of Faith Ringgold, utilizing bold imagery for social commentary.

Plate from Letter from Birmingham City Jail

Faith Ringgold, Martin Luther King Jr., Limited Editions Club, Curlee Raven Holton

2007


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

The artist; to Ruth Fine, Philadelphia; gift to NGA, 2021

Associated Names

Inscriptions

"Faith Ringgold" colophon, graphite.


You may be interested in

Loading Results