Judy Chicago

Judy Chicago is an artist, author, feminist, educator, and intellectual whose career now spans four decades. Her inclusion in hundreds of publications throughout the world attests to her influence both within and beyond the art community. Her art has been frequently exhibited in the United States as well as in Canada, Europe, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. In addition, a number of the books she has authored have been published in foreign editions, bringing her art and philosophy to thousands of readers worldwide.

In a feat of creativity, organizing, and political engagement, her multicity exhibition "The Dinner Party," comprised of elaborate placesettings honoring female visionaries and leaders across the centuries, remains a touchstone for progressive activists nearly 30 years after its launch. Her daring work continues to develop themes of history, community, and coalition.
(Source: http://www.judychicago.com/judychicago.php?p=biography)

A gallery of her art can be seen here.

Starting March 23, 2007, The Dinner Party is on permanent exhibition at the Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art at the Brooklyn Museum. In 1990, residents of and visitors to the nation's capital were denied regular access to this artistic treasure when arch-nemesis of human rights and free expression Republican Jesse Helms, then a North Carolina senator, misrepresented the work through incendiary diatribes and inserted a rider into federal legislation effectively barring its permanent installation at the University of the District of Columbia. Recently, in one sign of the shifting politics around censorship and investment in the civic infrastructure, the office of the Republican mayor of New York City, Michael Bloomberg, helped secure a portion of the funds needed to land the masterpiece safely in that metropolis. Mazel tov, to all who assisted in this feat.

 

 

Past Progressive Victory Artists of the Month

* Naomi Shihab Nye