THE FLOWERING

A new autobiographical work from the renowned American feminist artist.

Chicago (b. 1939) explores her life and career from the perspective of a female artist in a male-dominated art world. In addition to countless personal and professional details, this book also includes vivid full-color photographs of her work and a foreword by Gloria Steinem, who writes that Chicago “spent her life not only inventing Feminist Art, but inventing a feminist way of creating art.” The author opens with details of her early childhood, attributing her strong sense of self to her father’s encouragement and interactions with her. Initially, Chicago’s matter-of-fact tone and self-praising comments make her words feel cold. However, as she begins discussing her time spent teaching the Feminist Art Program at Fresno State College, aimed to empower future female artists, her tone warms, and her passionate personality emerges. Like many women artists, Chicago’s experiences have taught her that she has to fight marginalization in the art world. As she chronicles her rise in an arena controlled by men, she also explores the genesis of the works that stemmed from those experiences. The author shows how her art was often received poorly, seemingly due to her depictions of the female experience and form in a graphic manner. She explains many of her major works, including The Dinner Party, the Birth Project, and the Holocaust Project, the challenges she faced during the creation of each, and the reception each received. Fortunately, as Chicago notes, the public perception of her work has shifted with time; she was recently named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine. Additionally, works of hers that were once criticized or dismissed are finding new and receptive audiences. Overall, Chicago’s narrative speaks to the power of persistence and remaining true to yourself, especially important in the art world.

An unapologetic examination of the life of an artist dedicated to following her passions.