“The End: A Meditation on Death and Extinction,” by Judy Chicago

“How Will I Die” from “The End: A Meditation on Death and Extinction”

Judy Chicago is an internationally renowned artist, educator, and feminist icon who has been active in the art community for more than five decades. She’s known primarily for epic feminist artwork and installation pieces examining the role of women in history and culture. Now, her most recent work is being shown at the National Museum of Women in the Arts until January 20th in an exhibit called: “The End: A Meditation on Death and Extinction.”

“The Price of Love (after Kollwitz),” from “The End: A Meditation on Death and Extinction”

In this series of more than 35 works of painted porcelain, kiln-fired glass paint on black glass, and two large bronze sculptures, Judy Chicago deeply reflects on her own mortality as well as the human-caused extinction of our planet’s species and ecosystems. Using three sequential sections, titled: “Stages of Dying,” “Mortality” and “Extinction,” Chicago takes us through the five stages of grief and asks us to contemplate our own deaths and the deaths of others.  

“Stages of Dying 3/6: Anger,” from “The End: A Meditation on Death and Extinction”

Many of the pieces feature a nude older woman without hair. This rendering, according to Chicago, makes the subject a universal “everywoman,” who death will come for eventually and without prejudice. In various pieces, the figure is charged with color to provide a visual dimension to the emotions, such as the red bordering in “Anger” above, and the vibrant rainbow of colors in “Acceptance” pictured below. 

“Acceptance” from “The End: A Meditation on Death and Extinction”

If you’re in Washington D.C. and interested in an immersive, contemplative experience examining your own mortality, grief, and the untimely death of our planet’s species, take time to go to the National Museum of Women in the Arts to see Judy Chicago’s “The End: A Meditation on Death and Extinction.” Not only will you be faced with important questions and observations relevant to all life on this planet, but you will also be treated to a bold, unique style that is wholly Judy Chicago.