Judy Chicago: When Women Rule the World
Judy Chicago Into the Darkness 2008
International Women’s Day isn’t until March 8, but in Toronto festivities are being kicked off early with a trifecta of Judy Chicago exhibitions.
The main attraction in this Chicago-fest is the Textile Museum of Canada’s fabric-oriented survey of the iconic feminist artist. Titled “When Women Rule the World” after a new Chicago embroidery project making its global debut at the venue, the Textile Museum show is promisingly curated by well-known Toronto artist Allyson Mitchell. It’s also accompanied by an exhibition of work by younger feminist artists called “She Will Always Be Younger than Us.” This latter show is exciting in itself, featuring work by New York’s Ginger Brooks Takahashi and Orly Cogan, Boston’s Cat Mazza, Calgary’s Wednesday Lupypciw and Newfoundland’s Gillian Strong.
| |
|
Judy Chicago Plate Line Drawing: Boadaceia 1978 |
In a different part of town, still more works are on view. Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery curator Virginia Eichhorn curates both historical and contemporary Chicago works for the recently opened Rouge Contemporary. The resulting show offers sketches and test plates from the famous Dinner Party work—now in a state of long-term installation at the Brooklyn Museum—as well as recent drawings on domesticity and animal life. The exhibition also includes large works in glass that Chicago showed at the CCGG in 2007.
| |
|
Judy Chicago Grand Flaming Fist 2006 |
Finally, these two exhibitions are rounded out by a show at O’Connor Gallery, where the artist shows works alongside landscapes by her husband, established photo artist Donald Woodman.
Reviewing Judy Chicago’s output in all its variety, it begs the question: who are those other 364 days of the year supposed to be for, anyway?
| |
|
Judy Chicago Signing the Dinner Party 2008 |
Subscribe to Canadian Art today and save 30% off the newstand price.
