The Flowering: The Autobiography of Judy Chicago

by Judy Chicago, Gloria Steinem (Foreword)

Judy Chicago is America’s most dynamic living artist. Her works comprise a dizzying array of media from performance and installation to the glittering table laid for thirty-nine iconic women in The Dinner Party (now permanently housed at the Brooklyn Museum), the groundbreaking Birth Project, and the meticulously researched Holocaust Project. She designed the monumental installation for Dior’s 2020 Paris couture show and, in 2019, established the Judy Chicago Portal, which will help to accomplish her lifelong goal of overcoming the erasure that has eclipsed the achievements of so many women.


The Flowering is her vivid and revealing autobiography, fully illustrated with photographs of her work, as well as never-before-published personal images and a foreword by Gloria Steinem. Chicago has revised and updated her earlier, classic works with previously untold stories, fresh insights, and an extensive afterword covering the last twenty years. This powerful narrative weaves together the stories behind some of Chicago’s most significant artworks and her journey as a woman artist with the chronicles of her personal relationships and her understanding, from decades of experience and extensive research, of how misogyny, racism, and other prejudices intersect to erase the legacies of artists who are not white and male while dismissing the suffering of millions of creatures who share the planet.


With the first career retrospective of her work forthcoming at the de Young Museum in 2021, Chicago reinforces her message of resilience for a new generation of artists and activists. The Flowering is an essential read for anyone interested in making change.

Genres: Art, Memoir, Nonfiction, Biography, Feminism, Autobiography, Womens

416 pages, Hardcover

First published July 20, 2021

Reviews

[Roxane · Rating 4 out of 5]

In The Flowering, Judy Chicago offers a clear-eyed, unapologetic accounting of ambition and a life dedicated to making and supporting feminist art. From her childhood until the present, The Flowering is not only the story of a life fully lived or a woman committed, first and foremost to her art, it is also a compelling history of contemporary feminist art in the United States. Judy Chicago has a distinct point of view, in her art and in her words. The Flowering offers the opportunity to inhabit that perspective, and understand how a woman artist forged a path not only for herself but so many others.

This book was fascinating and I couldn't put it down.

[Faith Justice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this deep dive into the life of one of my favorite artists. It covers the trauma of her early life when her influential father died young, her struggles to get recognized for her talents, her various lovers and patrons, and how life affected her art. Chicago is generous with her praise and gratitude for all those her helped her along the way. I recommend this book for anyone who wants an insight into the emotional journey of an artist. In addition she provides an alternative business model for producing, displaying, and living off art.

At first I thought there was too much "woe is me" complaining about how her work was embraced by the populace, but denigrated by the art critic world--which significantly affected her career as a professional artist (i.e. made it difficult to make a living at it). But as her career developed and she produced such profound projects as "The Dinner Party", "The Birth Project" and "The Holocaust Project" which continued to be rejected by the critics, I can only conclude that it was because of her sex. The art world has always rejected women artists (the theme of the Dinner Party) and required any female up and comer to do it all alone without the support provided to their male peers. Luckily when you live as long as Chicago and produce such a prodigious amount of significant art, you might break through the barriers. She is finally getting the recognition she deserves.

If you live in the New York City area, I highly recommend you visit the Dinner Party which is permanently installed in the Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art at the Brooklyn Museum. Chicago's work is also available at number of museums and venues across the US. Check with your local museum or go online to see what she has done. Or read this book! As might be expected, there are lots of images of her projects.

[Kate E · Rating 4 out of 5]

Judy Chicago's tenacity and commitment to her vision of a more equitable world shines through in her words and visual art in this autobiography. Prior to reading it, I was familiar with the "Dinner Party" and the "Holocaust Project," but her body of work is huge, and I enjoyed learning about her other projects (many very ambitious and large scale). Judy Chicago is a true trailblazer for feminist art, and she persevered when her work wasn't recognized for its true value. She's not a perfect person, and readily admits her shortcomings in the book, but she is a groundbreaking artist who is finally getting the recognition she deserves.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book should have been great. Judy Chicago lived a fascinating life and was very honest in sharing it. When she talked about her art, her family and her battles fighting for respect, it was fascinating. But, there were whole sections where she listed people and their accomplishments where my eyes just glazed over. It is very long and heavy at 400 pages. I am glad to have learned more about Judy but can’t really recommend this book.

[Cherie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Took me a while to read; super dense and full of all that made Judy Chicago's life. Her devotion to art is so incredibly narrow and focused, you understand why she is as an amazing artist as she is. (She, however, also lacked empathy at various times and could be a tough role model.) Interesting journey. The Dinner Party has always been one of my favorite pieces; great to learn more (though at times, wish there was a little less detail....)

[Lord Farquad · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book moved me very deeply and I hope you’re able to get your hands on it. I have always been a huge fan of Judy Chicago, but even if you aren’t I would still highly recommend this read. Anyone interested in gender equality should have this on their list.

[Jenny Isgett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really opened my mind to so many things like art and the making of are and the struggles of women to be recognized in art and the resilience of the human spirit when you know what you were born to do.

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Judy Chicago's passion for one thing or another leads to art! Bless her heart. She burns brightly and consumes all of the air in any room she enters. Hopefully, Donald will write his autobiography. I'm sure he has tales to tell.

[Mary Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMAZING WOMAN AMAZING BOOK. Her prose is as great as her art. What a journey to gain the respect she longed deserved. A true trailblazer for women! Thank you Judy Chicago for sharing your inspirational story.

[Ann Dake · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whew! This book is a tome! Large, heavy, long and very deep. It’s the story of the artist Judy Chicago, a famous feminist artist and her struggles throughout her career. Not for everyone, but I’m stubborn and had to finish. I learned a lot about her and the art world.

[Vikrams]

Phenomenon

[Ruth Glen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 I learned a lot about her. But not everyone’s cup of tea.

[Aimee Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review is for the thorough nature of the memoir and is not a reflection of personal feelings towards the artist.

[Linda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sad to say the most interesting thing I found in this, her at least third try at her autobiography, is the introduction by Gloria Steinem, and the photographs.

[Rabbi Scott Meltzer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting. A bit longer than needed...

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

[Beth]

Successful SFP.