The Dinner Party Judy Chicago

About the Exhibit

• Arranged in the shape of an open triangle which is a symbol of… ?

• Primary intention for creating the exhibit was to educate a broad and diverse audience about women’s achievements.

• Contains metaphors and symbolism within the place settings.

• Housed at the Brooklyn Museum

Challenges

• At the time when Judy started thinking about The Dinner Party (late 1960’s) there was no women’s studies surveying woman, especially in art.

• Some argued this was not art despite the fact that an artist conceived it, designed it, and worked to create it.

Who Does the Exhibit Represent?• Elevates female achievement in Western

Civilization to a heroic scale (traditionally reserved for men).

• 39 Guests of honor including from Prehistory Roman empire, to the beginnings of Christianity, from the American Revolution.

• Interior of the triangle= Signatures of 999

women who supported the 39 figures on the table.

• Some guests include Sacajawea, Emily Dickinson, Fertility Goddess, Artemisia Gentileschi, Susan B. Anthony, etc.

Virginia Woolf

• Renowned British novelist• She urged females to write in a style reflective of

themselves; rather than conform to pre-existing styles. • Plate= blooming flower that symbolizes her advocacy

for unrestricted expression. – The seeds= creative intellect. She urged woman to break free

from the confines of predominantly masculine literature. • Runner= The wave pattern symbolizes her death by

drowning herself at the age of 59. – Gold color symbolizes her book “To the Light-house”.