In 2011 we were asked to create a quilt in honor of Faith Ringgold, the first honoree of the Cultural Arts Award at the City College of New York. Ringgold is known for putting herself in conversation with icons of Western art. We were impressed with how Ringgold didn’t wait to be asked to join this venerated artist circle but simply announced herself because she belonged. We thought that putting ourselves in conversation with icons of Western art would be an interesting way to honor Ringgold. Since we both had studied German and loved German art, we picked one of our favorite German artists, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner (1880 – 1938). we were particularly drawn to his paintings and woodcuts of women. Concentrating on prostitutes in Berlin, he showed their vulnerability and outsider status.
