As a result of the investigation of their Jewish heritage that Chicago and Woodman undertook during the Holocaust Project, Chicago became interested in Jewish themes. Since then, she has created a number of works, including a series of prints based on a recent translation of the Song of Songs along with a number of Judaic ritual objects. These include designs for tallit bags; a unique matzoh cover celebrating the women associated with Passover; and a personal Haggadah for use by the Seder group that she and Woodman have participated in for over twenty years.
In 2010, an exhibition Judy Chicago/Jewish Identity opened at the Hebrew Union College Museum in New York, subsequently traveling to two other venues. Curated by Laura Kruger and Gail Levin, this was the first exhibit to examine Chicago’s work on Jewish themes.
More recently, Chicago was commissioned by the authors Faye and Jon Kellerman to create a china-painted Seder plate along with a painted and embroidered matzoh cover and afikomen bag.
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Judy Chicago, Pen Work Seder Plate, 2011, pen work, gold and silver lustre on ceramic, 14.25 in. diameter. © Judy Chicago/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York Photo © Donald Woodman/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
Judy Chicago, Miriam's Well Seder Plate, 2011, china paint on white ceramic, 14.25 in. diameter. © Judy Chicago/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York Photo © Donald Woodman/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
Judy Chicago, Seder Plate #3 Miriam in Glass, 2011, glass paint on glass, 14 in. diameter. © Judy Chicago/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York Photo © Donald Woodman/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
Judy Chicago, Miriam's Well Afikomen Bag, 2011, acrylic and embroidery on linen with velvet back, 12 x 8 in. © Judy Chicago/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York Photo © Donald Woodman/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
Judy Chicago, Miriam Glass, 2012, glass paint on Starfire glass, 12 x 9 x .4 in. . © Judy Chicago/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York Photo © Donald Woodman/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
Judy Chicago, 18 Bowls of Feelings/Needs, 2012, china paint on white ceramic mounted in mirrored box, 22 x 26.5 x 3.5 in. . © Judy Chicago/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York Photo © Donald Woodman/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
Judy Chicago, Study for The Female Face of Pesach - Study for Matzoh Cover, 1999, watercolor and watercolor pencil on rag paper, 10 x 30 in. . © Judy Chicago/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York Photo © Donald Woodman/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
Judy Chicago, Matzoh Cover: Women of Valor/The Female Face of Pesach, 1999-2000, fabric paint and embroidery on linen, embroidery by Joyce Gilbert, 16 x 30 x 12 in. . © Judy Chicago/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York Photo © Donald Woodman/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
Judy Chicago, Elijah/Miriam Cup, 2014, china paint on porcelain, 7 x 5 x 4 in. © Judy Chicago/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York Photo © Donald Woodman/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
Judy Chicago, Elijah/Miriam Cup, 2014, china paint on porcelain, 7 x 5 x 4 in. © Judy Chicago/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York Photo © Donald Woodman/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
Judy Chicago, O for Your Scent from Voices from the Song of Songs, 1999, heliorelief, lithograph, and hand-coloring on paper, 24 x 40 in. . © Judy Chicago/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York Photo © Donald Woodman/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
Judy Chicago, My Dove in the Clefts of the Rock from Voices from the Song of Songs, 1999, heliorelief, lithograph, and hand-coloring on paper, 24 x 40 in. . © Judy Chicago/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York Photo © Donald Woodman/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
Judy Chicago, Yes, I am Black and Radiant from Voices from the Song of Songs, 1999, heliorelief, lithograph, and hand-coloring on paper, 24 x 40 in. . © Judy Chicago/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York Photo © Donald Woodman/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
Judy Chicago, How Fine You Are, My Love from Voices from the Song of Songs, 1999, heliorelief, lithograph, and hand-coloring on paper, 24 x 40 in. . © Judy Chicago/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York Photo © Donald Woodman/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
Judy Chicago, Come Let Us Go Out Into the Open Fields from Voices from the Song of Songs, 1999, heliorelief, lithograph, and hand-coloring on paper, 24 x 40 in. . © Judy Chicago/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York Photo © Donald Woodman/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
Judy Chicago, There You Stand Like a Palm from Voices from the Song of Songs, 1999, heliorelief, lithograph, and hand-coloring on paper, 24 x 40 in. . © Judy Chicago/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York Photo © Donald Woodman/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
