Cheryl R. Riley Explained

Cheryl R. Riley (born 1952) is an American artist and furniture designer.

Career

Furniture design

Riley pursued a career in advertising and fashion before focusing on furniture design. In 1986, Riley formed Right Angle Designs in San Francisco, starting out by designing and producing furniture.^[1] She is said to be one of the only female African American designers to establish a national reputation for her furniture design.^[2]

Other work

The cities of San Francisco, New York, Atlanta, and Sacramento have commissioned Riley for murals and sculptures since the inception of Right Angle Designs.^[3] She designed the interior of the public lobby of Bayview Police Station in Bayview-Hunters Point, San Francisco, from 1991 to 1997.^[4] In 2000, Riley was hired to design the mural, "MBUTI WOMEN" (2000) in San Francisco, CA Bayview District.

Riley was commissioned to design the awards statue for the American Black Film Festival (then called the Acapulco Black Film Festival Awards). In 2019, the award was acquired by the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture for their permanent collection.^[5]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Cheryl R. Riley, Tudor Coin Encrusted Table, 1992. 2017-10-18. National Museum of African American History and Culture. 2020-02-21.
2. Book: Kirkham, Pat. Women designers in the USA, 1900-2000 : diversity and difference : Jacqueline M. Atkins [and others]. 2000. Yale University Press. Published in conjunction with the exhibition held at the Bard Graduate Center for Studies in the Decorative Arts, Design, and Culture from Nov. 15, 2000 to Feb. 25, 2001.. 0-300-08734-9. New Haven, CT. 45486311.
3. Book: Sims. Lowery Stokes. THE GLOBAL AFRICA PROJECT. King-Hammond. Leslie. Beckwith. Naomi. D'Alton. Martina. Museum of Arts and Design. Published in conjunction with the exhibition, The global Africa project, organized by the Museum of Arts and Design, November 17, 2010-May 15, 2011.. 2010. 978-3-7913-5084-4. New York. 630457118.
4. Web site: Neighborhood Cops / Gala opening of Bayview police station. Hoover. Ken. 1997-02-25. San Francisco Chronicle. 2020-02-13.
5. Web site: NMAAHC Collections Search. National Museum of African American History and Culture. 2020-02-21.