Through the Flower is pleased to present: From the Collection of Through the Flower, an exhibition of artworks, preparatory materials, and ephemera from Judy Chicago’s The Dinner Party and the Birth Project.

The Dinner Party (1974-1979) is a monumental installation comprised of a triangular table with thirty-nine place settings consisting of a sculpted and china-painted porcelain plate, an embroidered table runner, chalice and utensils; each commemorating an important woman from history. The piece, which has come to be known as an icon of 1970’s feminist, has been permanently housed at the Brooklyn Museum since 2012.

Among the works included in the exhibition are test plates, prototypes for the tableware, drawings, and other historic materials. 

“It is more important than ever that young people learn about women’s history because these brave women and their allies stood up to society and made impactful changes—changes that need to happen again or we are going to find ourselves losing many of the gains that have been achieved because of centuries of struggle.” — Judy Chicago, 2022

Also featured are several works along with studies, embroidery samples, and prints from the Birth Project (1980-1985). For this groundbreaking series, Chicago worked with more than 150 needleworkers to create over 80 textiles combining painting and needlework that celebrate the different aspects and experiences of the birthing process from the painful to the mythical, many of which are still rarely discussed today.

“Since there were so few images [of birth] I decided that I would have to go directly to women, ask them to tell me about their birth experiences, and then use that raw material in the development of images…  As I listened, studied, and read I realized that it was not only birth I was learning about but also the very nature of this subject which was shrouded in myth, mystery, and stereotype.  I knew that I wanted to dispel at least some of this secrecy.” — Judy Chicago, Birth Project, Doubleday, 1985