Judy Chicago really began the feminist art movement. Her artistic and historical scope was and is unprecedented. The Dinner Party first brought attention to hundreds upon hundreds of overlooked women ignored by history. ( )

A symbol of our heritage

I had the good fortune to acquire this commemorative volume at the 1996 showing of Judy Chicago's "Dinner Party" in Los Angeles. The room-sized artwork itself is intended to describe the struggle of women throughout history to achieve full participation in society and it makes extensive use of the traditional "feminine" art of needlework.

The book would, I think, give an excellent idea of the installation for anyone who has never seen it. There is one color plate of the entire room with its dimmed lighting that conveys the atmosphere of near religious awe experienced by those who walked slowly and quietly around it. Additional color plates show close-ups of the individual place settings and details of embroidery.

The book also has a section for each of the historical periods, with biographies of the women honored, as well as an introduction that describes the creation of the work and its early, controversial years. ( )

VG copy. Softcover