In this episode of 'Why'd They Put That in a Museum,' hosts Sarah Lees, a museum curator and researcher, and Beth Bacon, an avid museum goer and children's book author, discuss Faith Ringgold's 'Tar Beach,' which is a part of her 'Woman on a Bridge' series. This colorful work defies categorization. It blends painting, quilting, and storytelling. It’s an artwork… and also a Caldecott-winning picture book. We start by talking about the quilt version of the work in the New York Guggenheim, which shows a family hanging out on a New York City rooftop on a summer evening. We talk about the work’s magical and fantastic elements (it depicts a girl, Cassie Louise Lightfoot, flying in a starlit sky above the George Washington Bridge). Its text mentions both heart wrenching political messages and the hope that's born in the imagination. Why did the Guggenheim Museum choose this piece for their collection? To answer that, we explore Ringgold's influences from Tibeten thangka, to African-American quiltmaking, to abstract expressionism. We also go back to look at her career, starting in the 1960’s and her insistence that her work is worth preserving and valuing. We talk about how the personal can be political. And we ponder other works, such as ‘The Flag Is Bleeding’ and ‘Die’ which is featured at MOMA, in honored place next to Picasso’s ‘Demoiselles D’Avignon.’ Why did MOMA put a Ringgold work next to a Picasso? Listen to the podcast and find out.

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© 2025 Why'd They Put That In A Museum podcast hosts Beth Bacon and Sarah Lees.

In this episode of 'Why They Put That in a Museum,' hosts Beth Bacon and Sarah Lees delve into the history and cultural significance of Vincent van Gogh's 'Self Portrait with a Bandaged Ear.' They explore what makes the painting so moving, talk about Van Gogh's life and mental state during its creation, and the pivotal role played by the unsung woman who worked to get his works into museums. The hosts also discuss Van Gogh's artistic influences, his tumultuous relationship with Paul Gauguin, and the enduring emotional power of the painting. Tune in for a deeper understanding of why this compelling work deserves its place in the Courtauld museum.

Send us a text with ideas for new episodes or just let us know what you think.

© 2025 Why'd They Put That In A Museum podcast hosts Beth Bacon and Sarah Lees.