This is the Bigamy Hood by Judy Chicago. It was made in 1965, two years after her husband’s shocking and abrupt death. Bigamy Hood is an abstract artwork created using Acrylic lacquer and then sprayed with acrylic support, following that, a fusion of color and surface occurs. The artwork symbolizes the severed connection between Chicago, her father, and her husband. The work came from the death of both her father and her husband. The work includes a broken heart and two crosses. This work was done during the time that Judy Chicago was dealing with her trauma and an identity crisis due to her husband’s loss and her past trauma with her father’s death. After releasing the work to the public Chicago faced criticism for the use of genitalia and called the work crass and oversexed.
The work is significant to my story due to the connection and crisis that Chicago had after her husband’s death. Following their impromptu 1959 road trip from L.A. to New York, Judy Chicago and Jerry separated again and it was their longest break. However, Jerry Gerowtiz and Judy Chicago got back together again and still had many issues in their relationship. Right before his death Chicago and Gerowitz had a huge argument and did not makeup. Chicago developed many issues due to that fact.