Mahalia We Love You

Title

Mahalia We Love You

Description

Here, artist Faith Ringgold depicts American gospel singer Mahalia Jackson (1911-1972), as part of a larger series in which the artist pays tribute to the lives and impact of prominent African American musicians, writers, and artists of the twentieth century. The artistic “frame,” used here in a combination of intricate geometric visual patterns, is reminiscent of quilt techniques. Ringgold pieces together black, blue, red, and yellow triangles, including graphic text reading: “Mahalia We Love You.” Ringgold adorns the work with a border of flowers and leaves in primary color. It reads: "Mahalia We Love You; In October of 1911 you were born 100 years ago in New Orleans; You brought a gift of song, praise, and joy to a troubled world. Hallelujah!" While this serigraph includes highly decorative features around the central figure, Ringgold’s hallmark graphic element is text.

Creator

Faith Ringgold

Date

6/24/2012

Format

Serigraph

Provenance

Gift from Dorit Yaron

Files

Mahalia We Love You.jpeg

Citation

Faith Ringgold, “Mahalia We Love You,” Ringgold | Saar: Meeting on the Matrix, accessed December 24, 2024, https://black-printmaking.artinterp.org/items/show/36.