Feminist visionary

The first European retrospective of American feminist artist Judy Chicago, entitled Herstory, is now on view at LUMA Arles in southern France. Previously shown at the New Museum in New York in 2023, this expanded version builds on the success of the original show and presents the most comprehensive display of Chicago’s work in Europe to date. Spanning more than sixty years of the artist’s career, Herstory traces Chicago’s evolution from early minimalist experiments in the 1960s to her pioneering feminist art of the 1970s and subsequent series exploring themes of environmental disaster, genocide and social injustice.

The exhibition includes major works such as The Birth Project, PowerPlay, Resolutions: A Stitch in Time and The End: A Meditation on Death and Extinction. These works highlight Chicago’s commitments to addressing crucial social issues through her art, and contextualise her feminist methodology within various art movements from which she has often been excluded. A notable addition to the LUMA Arles presentation is the revival of Chicago’s groundbreaking Feather Room, an ethereal installation that contrasts with the traditional use of hard materials in sculpture.

Another highlight is the newly commissioned Smoke Sculpture™, An Homage to Arles, which will be a focal point of the opening events. This ephemeral artwork will envelop the Frank Gehry-designed tower of LUMA Arles in colourful smoke and fireworks, adding a dynamic element to the exhibition.

The exhibition not only showcases Chicago’s contributions to feminist art, but also her engagement with broader social issues, reaffirming her position as a fearless and committed artist. Organised in collaboration with the New Museum,New York, and supported by Christian Dior Parfums, the exhibition underscores Chicago’s enormous impact on the art world over several decades.