Eve at 70 in the Garden, 2009: A Collaboration between Judy Chicago and Donald Woodman

Abstract

In preparation for the opening of Judy Chicago’s exhibitions at The Art Gallery of Calgary and The Weiss Gallery, several magazines did extensive interviews with Judy Chicago. Donald Woodman provided most of the photographs including a group of pictures for swerve magazine [a magazine insert that appears in the Friday issues of The Calgary Herald]. On Tuesday, August 25, 2009, a little more than a week before the article was to appear, the Art Director of swerve magazine e-mailed Donald to ask for an original portrait of Judy, one that was “....a beautiful environmental shot of Judy that showcases her creativity (and humor). Perhaps something outside, when the sun is setting, rich with colour and femininity.†One challenge was that they needed the picture by Friday of that same week.

Despite being extremely busy, Judy and Donald set to work, clearing time in their schedules to try and make the deadline. They came up with an idea that they believed met the requirements of the Art Director and took some preliminary shots on Wednesday afternoon. Donald had mentioned that the new thing in women’s magazines was nude photos of older women. Obviously, they wanted to do something tasteful but lively (see Figure 1).