Through The Flower: My Struggle as A Woman Artist [Paperback]

Judy Chicago (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 2, 2006

Through the Flower was my first book (I’ve since published nine others). I was inspired to write it by the writer and diarist, Anais Nin, who was a mentor to me in the early seventies. My hope was that it would aid young women artists in their development and that reading about my struggles might help them avoid some of the pitfalls that were so painful to me. I also hoped to spare them the anguish of “reinventing the wheel”, which my studies in women’s history had taught me was done again and again by women, specifically because we have not had access to our foremothers’ experience and achievements—one consequence of the fact that we still learn both history and art history from a male-centered bias with insufficient inclusion of women’s achievements.

I must admit that when I re-read Through the Flower, I winced at some of the unabashed honesty; at the same time, I am glad that my youthful self had the courage to speak so directly about my life and work. I doubt that I could recapture the candor that allowed this book to reflect such unabashed confidence that the world would accept revelations so lacking in self-consciousness. And yet, it is precisely this lack that helps give the book its flavor, the flavor of the seventies, when so many of us believed that we could change the world for the better, a goal that has been—as one of my friends put it—“mugged by reality”. And yet, better an overly idealistic hope that the world could be reshaped for the better than a cynical acceptance of the status quo. At least we tried—and I’m still trying. Perhaps I’m just too old now to change.

Judy Chicago 2005

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Judy Chicago is an artist, author, feminist, educator and intellectual whose career now spans over four decades. Her work and life are models for an enlarged definition of art, an expanded role for the artist, and a woman’s right to freedom of expression. Her influence both within and beyond the art community is attested to by her inclusion in hundreds of publications throughout the world. Her art has been frequently exhibited in the United States and internationally, and her ten published books have brought her art and philosophy to readers around the world. Chicago lives in Belen, New Mexico with her husband, photographer Donald Woodman and their beloved bevy of cats. For more information, explore her website, www.judychicago.com.

Product Details

• Paperback: 276 pages
• Publisher: Authors Choice Press (March 2, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595380468
• ISBN-13: 978-0595380466
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #925,512 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WONDERFUL! WONDERFUL! WONDERFUL!, May 7, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Through the Flower: My Struggle as a Woman Artist (Paperback)

This book was like a loyal companion as I experienced my own struggles as a woman artist. I commend Judy Chicago for sharing her experiences, personal decisions, and insights. Reading this particular book helped me to finish my most recent exhibition of work. Thank you, Judy!

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just a terrific little book!, June 21, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Through the Flower: My Struggle as a Woman Artist (Paperback)

What a wonderful book this is; so inspired, so inspiring. Judy Chicago is simply brilliant. She has challenged patriarchal tyranny so courageously and insightfully that you can read this book again and again with acute pleasure.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Judy Chicago; Goddess of the Art World!, January 1, 2001

By 

JMapp (Fairfax, VA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Through the Flower: My Struggle as a Woman Artist (Paperback)

Judy Chicago is such an intimate person, very emotional in her work, and through this book, you will grow to understand why and how she produced work in her very own style of emotion. She is truely a Goddess of Art, and a very strong women of which I could only strive to be! This book is so empowering, read it if you have any doubts about your place as a women dealing with being an artist. BRAVO!!