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Faith Ringgold, "You Put the Devil in Me "

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This serigraph, You put the Devil in Me by Faith Ringgold refers to the lyrics of a song, and, indubitably, the topic of this print is Music. Like a few others in the gallery, including a large quilt, this piece is part of the artist series titled the “Jazz Stories' ' where she depicts iconic characters and scenes from the Harlem Renaissance’s figures, in New York City in the 1920s and 1930s.

In an interview for Serpentine gallery, Ringgold states: “Music is a life force. I try to interpret the music in my work. You can’t see the music, but you can feel it. I try to make it visible through my work.”

You Put the Devil in Me lyrics by Faith Ringgold are as follows: 

Have you ever Seen an angel With wings stretched out in the air? A perfect angel with beauty oh so rare. Have you ever seen an angel? Aloft in glorious flight. A perfect angel Flying in the night?  Have you ever seen an angel, That you just can’t believe? A perfect angel too wonderful to conceive? 

I saw a perfect angel. When I looked into your eyes. Now I know it’s true. It’s not a disguise. I found a perfect angel.  When I nestled in your arms.  It’s you, it's you. It's no one but you. 

You are a perfect angel.  You are a perfect angel. In every way but one. You put the devil in me. You put the devil in me.