Artist Judy Chicago

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that Judy Chicago applies vulvar representations to her works with the same frequency that penile representations were applied to male statuary from time immemorial; however, Chicago creates female genitalia not to portray realism, as the male genitalia on Greek, Roman, Renaissance or any other heroic statuary, but rather to make a feminist statement. The author describes "The Dinner Party" installation as a triangular banquet table, with each side 48 feet long, sitting on a ceramic floor inscribed with the names of 999 notable women of history, both ancient and modern and at each of the 39 places is a plate, with some version of female genitalia on it and a porcelain chalice. The paper relates that "The Dinner Party" belongs to the genre of conceptual art; Chicago, along with Duchamp and Christo is deemed to be a valuable modern minimalist.

Table of Contents
The Meaning of "The Dinner Party"
"The Dinner Party": Global Derivation
"The Dinner Party": Place in Modern Art
Chicago History
Growing into Her Own
The Art Works (Illustrations)

From the Paper:

"The vulvar ornamentation of "The Dinner Party" places Judy Chicago firmly in a long line of sculptors who represented this essential aspect of female-ness across cultures. Sheila-na-gigs "closely resembled the yonic statues of Kali which still appear at the doorways of Hindu temples, where visitors lick a finger and touch the yoni 'for luck.' Some of the older figures have deep holes worn in their yonis from much touching." This also imitates the death goddess Kalika "evidently remembered in Ireland as the Caillech or 'Old Woman,' who was also the Creatress and gave birth to all the races of men." Whether or not Chicago was conversant with the totality of this world-order of female genitalia and its meaning and importance, she conveyed it just as firmly as had the abundant sheila-na-gigs of Ireland."

More papers on Artist Judy Chicago:

• Analytical Essay # 135118 : "Judy Chicago's "The Dinner Party"
• Essay # 24361 : "Feminist Art and the Avant-Garde"
• Essay # 69350 : "Art and Spirituality"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: