Judy Chicago’s original concept for The Dinner Party was multi-faceted in that her goal was to introduce the richness of women’s heritage into the culture in three ways; a monumental work of art, a book and a film because she had discovered so much unknown information. The work of art, that was eventually housed at the Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art at the Brooklyn Museum, consists of a series of Entryway Banners, the ceremonial table representing 39 important historical female figures, the Heritage Panels, which elucidate the contributions of the 999 women on the Heritage Floor, and the Acknowledgement Panels that identify Judy Chicago’s assistants and collaborators. Together, these components celebrate the many aspects of women’s history and contributions.
Through an unprecedented worldwide grass-roots movement, The Dinner Party was exhibited in 16 venues in 6 countries on 3 continents to a viewing audience of over one million people. The Dinner Party – which has been the subject of countless books and articles – is now permanently housed in the Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art at the Brooklyn Museum where it draws thousands of visitors from all over the globe.
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Judy Chicago painting in her china painting studio, Santa Monica, California. Photo courtesy Through the Flower Archive
The Dinner Party ceramic studio, Santa Monica, California. Photo courtesy Through the Flower Archive
Judy Chicago laying out names on the Heritage Floor, Santa Monica, California. Photo courtesy Through the Flower Archive
Painting names on the Heritage Floor, Santa Monica, California. Photo courtesy Through the Flower Archive
Diane Gelon, The Dinner Party administrator, and Judy Chicago. Photo courtesy Through the Flower Archive
Leonard Skuro and Judy Chicago. Photo courtesy Through the Flower Archive
Judy Chicago working on the Entryway Banners for The Dinner Party. Photo courtesy Through the Flower Archive
The Dinner Party Needlework Loft, Santa Monica, California. Photo courtesy Through the Flower Archive
The Dinner Party Research Team, Santa Monica, California. Photo courtesy Through the Flower Archive
Ceramic studio, Santa Monica, California. Photo courtesy Through the Flower Archive
The Dinner Party Thursday Night Potluck, Santa Monica, California. Photo courtesy Through the Flower Archive
Some core staff of The Dinner Party photographed at the work’s inaugural exhibition, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, 1979. In the background a photo mural shows Judy Chicago’s 39th birthday party in July 1978 at her Santa Monica studio. From left to right, back row: Shannon Hogan, Mary McNally, Neil Olson, Judy Chicago; second row down: L.A. Hassing (formerly Linda Ann Olson), Kate Amend, Juliet Myers, Helene Simich, Sharon Kagan, Leonard Skuro; third row down: Thea Litsios, Elaine Ireland, Kathleen Schneider, Judye Keyes, Susan Hill, Diane Gelon, Anita Johnson; front row (seated on floor): Ann Isolde, Terry Blecher, Peter Bunzick. Photo courtesy Through the Flower Archive
