Judy Chicago at the Black-E. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.
Judy Chicago is one of the finest visual artists working today. Her years as a major feminist icon has inspired many and thrilled many more and with a certain amount of flourish, Liverpool welcomed her back to a city she last gave a lecture at some thirty years ago and afforded her the long-awaited reception worthy of someone of her stature.
The Black-E has seen many impressive and iconic figures within its walls since it became the first Community Arts Centre in England, Music has abounded and reverberated around every brick and stone and many distinguished figures have stood and delivered excellent speeches to assembled audiences. However, judging by the looks on the faces of those waiting eagerly and patiently on a cold November night in the Black-E for one of the leading women artists of our times, to come out on stage after signing what seemed hundreds of her books, was a sight to behold.
Her work, always captivating and perhaps unfairly labelled sometimes as controversial hung on the walls in testament to her work and especially to the muse that fired her through parts of her career, Virginia Woolf.
Her lecture delivered on the 21st October 1982 to the Liverpool audience of the times was titled “Women, Art and Society: A Tribute to Virginia Woolf” and the paintings that surrounded the 21st century audience was full of art that were inspired by the great writer and other art work that stood out and reflected her distinctive voice.
Each piece was evocative, thoughtful and a true expression of the creativity at Judy Chicago’s hand. Works such as The Fall from the Holocaust, From the Birth Project and The Dinner Party were on show for the crowd to admire and take in.
An evening of great art and a chance to hear arguably one of the great modern artists talk of her past and of her passion.
For more information on Judy Chicago please visit the website www.judychicago.com
Ian D. Hall