Judi Chicago

Judith Chicago (born July 20, 1939, as Judith Sylvia Cohen) is an influential American feminist artist and author who has dedicated her career to highlighting women's achievements and experiences in art. Born in Chicago, Illinois, she adopted the city's name as her professional surname as an act of feminist reclamation. Chicago is best known for her groundbreaking installation art piece The Dinner Party (1974-1979), a massive triangular table with place settings honoring 39 notable women from history and mythology, spanning 5,000 years. The work became a controversial yet revolutionary statement on women's exclusion from historical narratives and became one of the most recognized feminist artworks of the 20th century. Beyond The Dinner Party, Chicago has created numerous other significant works exploring female sexuality, birth, and power, including The Birth Project and Resolutions: A Reckoning. She is also an accomplished author, having published memoirs and theoretical works on feminist art. Her artistic practice challenges viewers to reconsider historical narratives and recognize women's contributions across disciplines. Chicago's work has inspired generations of feminist artists and remains central to discussions of art history, gender studies, and cultural representation.