ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Judy Chicago on Birth Project: Filling an Iconographic Void

artist · 2026-04-27

In a recent interview published on Art Basel's YouTube channel, Judy Chicago discusses her seminal work Birth Project, initiated in 1980. The project involved 150 women worldwide hand-embroidering designs centered on birth and childbirth, addressing mythical, symbolic, and realistic aspects. Chicago notes the total iconographic void on this theme and the overlooked status of embroidery as a feminine technique. The interview highlights her belief that art can educate, inspire, and empower, even if it cannot change the world directly.

Key facts

  • Judy Chicago was born in 1939.
  • Birth Project began in 1980.
  • 150 women participated in the project.
  • The project uses hand-embroidery.
  • Themes include birth, childbirth, mythical and symbolic aspects.
  • Chicago states there was an iconographic void on the theme of birth.
  • Embroidery was considered a feminine technique and thus unknown.
  • The interview was published on Art Basel's YouTube channel.

Entities

Artists

  • Judy Chicago

Institutions

  • Art Basel

Sources