Judy Chicago (American, born 1939). <em>Primordial Goddess Place Setting</em>, 1974–1979. Runner:Cotton/linen base fabric, woven interface support material (horsehair, wool, and linen), cotton twill tape, silk, synthetic gold cord, unborn calf skins, cowry shells, stone beads, fabric paint, thread
Plate: Porcelain with overglaze enamel (China paint), Runner: 53 1/2 x 30 1/2 in. (135.9 x 77.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of The Elizabeth A. Sackler Foundation, 2002.10-PS-1. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2002.10-PS-1_plate_PS9.jpg)

Judy Chicago (American, born 1939). Primordial Goddess Place Setting, 1974–1979. Runner:Cotton/linen base fabric, woven interface support material (horsehair, wool, and linen), cotton twill tape, silk, synthetic gold cord, unborn calf skins, cowry shells, stone beads, fabric paint, thread Plate: Porcelain with overglaze enamel (China paint), Runner: 53 1/2 x 30 1/2 in. (135.9 x 77.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of The Elizabeth A. Sackler Foundation, 2002.10-PS-1. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2002.10-PS-1_plate_PS9.jpg)

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Is the Primordial Goddess' runner made from animal skin?

Yes, it is made of hide. The runner suggests the importance of women’s work in Paleolithic times. The coil around the Primordial Goddess’ first initial represents the early baskets and pottery made by women using coil forms, as well as Scandinavian rock art.

Who is this plate for?

This place setting is for the first woman represented at the Dinner Party, the Primordial Goddess. The concept of Judy Chicago's Dinner Party is to represent the idea of women's history, from the earliest days of humanity until the 20th century.

There are 39 mythical and historical women represented at the table. The Primordial Goddess represents early feminine deities from the Paleolithic. If you look closely at the runner, the details reflect this very early moment of humanity.

What's the symbolism in this plate

The plate references early goddess worship, traditions in which women were creators, associated with the primordial earth.

The plate evokes both flesh and rock, symbolizing the ties between the female body and Mother Earth,

The runner suggests the importance of women's work in Paleolithic times. The coil around the first initial evokes early basketry she believed to be carried out by women.

Thanks. Is the echo of O'Keeffe intentional for this and several others?

I interpret most of the plates to be centered around this kind of rippling, floral imagery, reminiscent of vulvar imagery that was prominent in the Upper Paleolithic and in a more abstracted form, the triangle.

What’s the significance of the animal skin?

This place setting represents part of the earliest human belief systems and the animal skin references what people might have worn then, tens of thousands of years ago.

Primordial Goddess Place Setting

Judy Chicago

Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art

On View: Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art, 4th Floor

ARTIST Judy Chicago, American, born 1939

MEDIUM Runner:Cotton/linen base fabric, woven interface support material (horsehair, wool, and linen), cotton twill tape, silk, synthetic gold cord, unborn calf skins, cowry shells, stone beads, fabric paint, thread Plate: Porcelain with overglaze enamel (China paint)

DATES 1974–1979

DIMENSIONS Runner: 53 1/2 x 30 1/2 in. (135.9 x 77.5 cm) Plate: 15 x 14 x 1 in. (38.1 x 35.6 x 2.5 cm) (show scale)

COLLECTIONS Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art

ACCESSION NUMBER 2002.10-PS-1

CREDIT LINE Gift of The Elizabeth A. Sackler Foundation

EXHIBITIONS

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art, 4th Floor

CAPTION Judy Chicago (American, born 1939). Primordial Goddess Place Setting, 1974–1979. Runner:Cotton/linen base fabric, woven interface support material (horsehair, wool, and linen), cotton twill tape, silk, synthetic gold cord, unborn calf skins, cowry shells, stone beads, fabric paint, thread Plate: Porcelain with overglaze enamel (China paint), Runner: 53 1/2 x 30 1/2 in. (135.9 x 77.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of The Elizabeth A. Sackler Foundation, 2002.10-PS-1. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2002.10-PS-1_plate_PS9.jpg)

IMAGE overall, 2002.10-PS-1_plate_PS9.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2013

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